Chrysler 2009 Annual Report Download - page 370

Karl Popper
1902-1994
Austrian Karl Popper was one
of the most influential scientific
philosophers of the 20th century.
Studying scientific progress, he
developed the idea that science
does not proceed from certitude
to certitude, but that a theory is
a provisional hypothesis to be
used to correct another theory. A
professor at the London School
of Economics, he founded the
Department of Philosophy, Logic
and Scientific Method there in
1946. He was also extremely
interested in politics and more
particularly in how democracy
functions.
Frank Lloyd Wright
1867-1959
American architect Frank Lloyd
Wright rejected the outmoded
neo-academism of his era. He
endeavoured to blend buildings
harmoniously into the countryside
with his organic architecture
and found innovative solutions
to solve lighting and ventilation
problems. By bringing new
shapes and materials to the art
of building, he revolutionized
the world of architecture. His
masterworks include Oak
Park,1889, Fallingwater,1937,
the Johnson Wax Building, 1939,
and the Solomon R. Guggenheim
Museum, New York, 1956-1959.
Francis Bacon
1561-1626
Englis h statesman a nd
philosopher. Bacon was a pioneer
in the field of modern scientific
methodology. A Member of the
House of Commons during the
reign of Queen Elizabeth I, he
was instrumental under James I
in the rapprochement between
Scotland and England. Accused
of corruption, he was dismissed
from his duties and focused his
energies as scientist on reform
of the sciences. His experimental
method extended to his
philosophical treatises where he
described knowledge as the fruit
of experience.
Joseph Beuys
1921-1986
German artist Joseph Beuys
explored several artistic media.
He initially developed a passion
for sculpture and drawing, and
was soon to organize original
events. He excelled in installations,
performance and video. Politically
committed and considered as the
German counterpart of Fluxus
artists, Joseph Beuys focused
and developed his work round the
themes of humanism, ecology,
sociology and anthroposophy.
Both controversial and admired,
he opened the way for a new
form of artistic reflection and is
considered to be one of the major
artists in contemporary art.
Tommaso Campanella
1568-1639
Italian philosopher and
Dominican monk. Accused of
heresy for his naturalist ideas,
he was tortured and imprisoned
for twenty-seven years. During
his detention, he corresponded
with a number of scholars and
wrote several works, notably The
City of the Sun (La Civitas Solis),
the tale of a Utopian Republic
founded on reason and the love
of God. After his liberation in
1626, he sought refuge in France
where he lived until his death.