November 24

Baruch Spinoza was born in Amsterdam to a family of Portuguese-Jewish immigrants. He is best known for his seminal work 'Ethics', which presented a rationalist system of philosophy. He challenged traditional religious beliefs and promoted a secular approach to Scripture. Spinoza's pantheism identified God with the natural world, laying groundwork for modern scientific thought. His ideas on freedom of thought, democracy, and the limits of authority influenced the Enlightenment. Despite excommunication from his community, his writings continue to shape philosophy and ethics.

Bernardus Melchior Maria 'Bernard' Delfgaauw (1912–1993) was a Dutch philosopher and academic. He held professorships in philosophy at several Dutch universities, influencing generations of students. Delfgaauw’s research spanned existentialism, metaphysics, and the history of philosophy. He authored numerous works analyzing the thought of Aristotle and modern existential thinkers. Known for his clear, engaging writing style, he brought complex philosophical ideas to a broader audience. His contributions helped shape post-war Dutch philosophical discourse. He remained active in academic discussions until his death in 1993.

Marshall Berman explored the promises and perils of modern life through a Marxist humanist lens. His 1982 book 'All That Is Solid Melts into Air' remains a seminal study of how modernization affects identity, culture, and community. A professor at The Graduate Center, CUNY, Berman drew on literature, philosophy, and urban life to argue that modernity is both liberating and disorienting. He published essays on figures like Marx, Baudelaire, and Jane Jacobs, emphasizing the human experience amid rapid change. Berman's work continues to influence thinkers in sociology, urban studies, and literary criticism.