February 11

Hans-Georg Gadamer studied under Martin Heidegger and developed philosophical hermeneutics, focusing on the nature of understanding and interpretation. In his seminal work 'Truth and Method,' he argued that historical context and preconceived notions shape our engagement with texts and art. Gadamer held professorships at universities in Germany and lectured around the world, influencing disciplines such as literary theory, theology, and social sciences. He bridged analytic and continental philosophy and remained active well into his later years. His ideas continue to inform contemporary debates on the philosophy of language, epistemology, and the humanities.

Antony Flew was a leading figure in analytic philosophy and atheist thought. His 1950 essay 'Theology and Falsification' challenged religious language and belief. Flew authored numerous books and articles on the philosophy of religion and ethics. In later life, he controversially announced a belief in a deistic creator based on scientific arguments. He held academic posts at universities in Oxford, Keele, and Reading. His work stimulated debate on faith, reason, and the limits of philosophical inquiry.