February 15

Jeremy Bentham was born in London and displayed prodigious intellect from an early age, attending Oxford University at just 12. He pioneered the philosophy of utilitarianism, arguing that ethical decisions should maximize “the greatest happiness of the greatest number.” Bentham advocated legal reforms, prison design (Panopticon), and social welfare improvements. Though controversial in his lifetime, his ideas profoundly influenced legal systems and political thought across Europe. His posthumous “auto-icon” remains on display at University College London as a testament to his innovative spirit. Bentham’s writings on liberty, economics, and government continue to shape modern debates on justice and rights.

Titu Maiorescu was born in 1840 and studied philosophy and law abroad before returning as an academic in Romania. He became a professor at the University of Iași, introducing modern literary and philosophical criticism to his students. He co-founded the Junimea society, a pivotal forum for Romanian intellectual and cultural debates. Maiorescu served as the 23rd Prime Minister of Romania from 1912 to 1913, enacting educational and judicial reforms. His theoretical works on aesthetics and dialectics influenced generations of Romanian scholars. By blending philosophical inquiry with political service, he helped shape Romania's cultural and institutional development. He died in 1917, leaving a lasting legacy as both a statesman and a thinker.

Alfred North Whitehead was born in 1861 in Ramsgate, England, and made landmark contributions as a mathematician and philosopher. He co-authored Principia Mathematica with Bertrand Russell, a foundational work in mathematical logic. Later, he developed process philosophy, emphasizing the dynamic nature of reality in works like 'Process and Reality'. Whitehead held academic posts at Cambridge and Harvard, influencing metaphysics, science, and theology. He died in 1947, leaving an intellectual legacy that continues to inspire across disciplines.