SEPTIMA POINSETTE CLARK fought for human rights against a racist segregationist culture. She was an educator and founder of the citizen schools of the civil rights movement. According to MLK, Clark was the mother of the civil rights movement. She fought against the roots of racism, a radical in the very best sense.
RENE DESCARTES, France (1596-1650)
Geometer and a founder of modern philosophy, dared to question everything he learned in Catholic school, even for a little while the existence of God. Published posthumously so he wouldn’t face a fate like Galileo’s.
ANNETTE BAIER, Pittsburgh, PA and Dunedin, NZ (1929-2012)
American philosopher, emphasizing Hume and willing to look at him in the light of feminist ideals, characterized by a penchant for philosophical satire of sexism.
HILARY PUTNAM, Cambridge, MA (1926-2016)
American mathematician, computer scientist and philosopher, an outspoken defender of democratic ideals, famous for changing his mind, often coming to embrace more left-leaning and emancipatory ideas.
Socrates, Athens, Greece (~470-399 BCE)
Wandered around Athens questioning those in authority, accused of believing in false gods and corrupting the youth. Sentenced to death.
Professor Watchlist redux 