Paul Kurtz - Revision history

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	{{~~PersonInfobox~~		{{InfoboxPerson
	\|name=Paul Kurtz		\|name=Paul Kurtz
	\|born=21 December 1925, [[Newark]], [[:Category:New Jersey\|New Jersey]], [[:Category:United States of America\|USA]]		\|born=21 December 1925, [[Newark]], [[:Category:New Jersey\|New Jersey]], [[:Category:United States of America\|USA]]

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	\|status=Deceased		\|status=Deceased
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	'''Paul Winter Kurtz''' (21 December 1925 – 20 October 2012) was an American philosopher, scientific sceptic, and secular humanist, widely called "the father of secular humanism." He was the founder and longtime chair of the organisation now known as the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI), formerly the [[Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal]] (CSICOP).<ref name="freeinquiry">{{cite web \|title=Paul Kurtz (1925-2012) \|url=https://secularhumanism.org/2013/01/cont_anon_33_1/ \|website=Free Inquiry}}</ref>		'''Paul Winter Kurtz''' (21 December 1925 – 20 October 2012) was an American philosopher, scientific sceptic, and secular humanist, widely called "the father of secular humanism." He was the founder and longtime chair of the organisation now known as the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI), formerly the [[Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal]] (CSICOP).<ref name="freeinquiry">{{cite web \|title=Paul Kurtz (1925-2012) \|url=https://secularhumanism.org/2013/01/cont_anon_33_1/ \|website=Free Inquiry}}</ref>

	== Early life and war service ==		== Early life and war service ==
	Kurtz was born in [[Newark]], New Jersey, to Martin and Sarah Kurtz. He enrolled briefly at Washington Square College of New York University before enlisting in the U.S. Army during the Second World War, fighting in the Battle of the Bulge and serving with a unit that liberated the Dachau concentration camp.<ref name="freeinquiry" /> He carried a copy of Plato's ''Republic'' with him throughout the war, an experience he later credited with solidifying his lifelong commitment to philosophy.<ref name="skepticuk">{{cite web \|title=Paul Kurtz, Father of Secular Humanism, dies aged 86 \|url=https://www.skeptic.org.uk/2012/10/kurtz-obituary/ \|website=The Skeptic (UK)}}</ref> After being demobilised, he resumed his studies at New York University, where an encounter with pragmatic naturalist philosopher Sidney Hook — a student of John Dewey — became what Kurtz called "his most important intellectual experience."<ref name="skepticuk" /> He went on to ~~complete~~ an MA and PhD ~~at Columbia University~~.<ref name="~~handwiki~~">{{cite web \|title=Paul Kurtz \|url=https://~~handwiki~~.~~org~~/~~wiki~~/~~Biography:Paul_Kurtz~~ \|website=~~HandWiki~~}}</ref>		Kurtz was born in [[Newark]], New Jersey, to Martin and Sarah Kurtz. He enrolled briefly at Washington Square College of New York University before enlisting in the U.S. Army during the Second World War, fighting in the Battle of the Bulge and serving with a unit that liberated the Dachau concentration camp.<ref name="freeinquiry" /> He carried a copy of Plato's ''Republic'' with him throughout the war, an experience he later credited with solidifying his lifelong commitment to philosophy.<ref name="skepticuk">{{cite web \|title=Paul Kurtz, Father of Secular Humanism, dies aged 86 \|url=https://www.skeptic.org.uk/2012/10/kurtz-obituary/ \|website=The Skeptic (UK)}}</ref> After being demobilised, he resumed his studies at New York University, where an encounter with pragmatic naturalist philosopher Sidney Hook — a student of John Dewey — became what Kurtz called "his most important intellectual experience."<ref name="skepticuk" /> He earned his BA from NYU in 1948, then went on to Columbia University, completing an MA in 1949 and a PhD in philosophy in 1952 with a dissertation titled "The Problems of Value Theory."<ref name="lifeboat">{{cite web \|title=Lifeboat Foundation Bios: Dr. Paul Kurtz \|url=https://lifeboat.com/ex/former.bios.paul.kurtz \|website=Lifeboat Foundation}}</ref>

	== Academic career ==		== Academic career ==
	Kurtz taught philosophy at ~~Vassar,~~ Trinity, and Union ~~colleges~~ and the New School for Social Research before joining the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1965, where he remained until his retirement as professor emeritus in 1991.<ref name="skepticuk" />		Kurtz taught philosophy at Trinity College in Connecticut from 1952 to 1959, and subsequently at Vassar, Union College, and the New School for Social Research, before joining the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1965, where he remained until his retirement as professor emeritus in 1991.<ref name="skepticuk" /><ref name="lifeboat"/>

	== Founding CSICOP ==		== Founding CSICOP ==
	In April 1976, Kurtz and others founded the world's first organisation dedicated solely to the scientific investigation of paranormal claims at a conference at SUNY Buffalo, attended by [[Isaac Asimov]], [[Martin Gardner]], and [[James Randi]] among others. Originally named the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP), the word "Scientific" and the organisation's broader framing were partly intended to distinguish its work from ideological or politically motivated scepticism.~~<ref name="freeinquiry" />~~ CSICOP launched ''Skeptical Inquirer'' as its flagship magazine the same year.		In April 1976, Kurtz and others founded the world's first organisation dedicated solely to the scientific investigation of paranormal claims at a conference at SUNY Buffalo, attended by [[Isaac Asimov]], [[Martin Gardner]], and [[James Randi]] among others.<ref name="freeinquiry"/> Originally named the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP), the word "Scientific" and the organisation's broader framing were partly intended to distinguish its work from ideological or politically motivated scepticism. CSICOP launched ''Skeptical Inquirer'' as its flagship magazine the same year.<ref name="skepticuk"/>

	== Secular humanism and the Center for Inquiry ==		== Secular humanism and the Center for Inquiry ==
	Kurtz founded the independent publishing house Prometheus Books in 1969, which went on to ~~issue over 1~~,~~000 titles critiquing pseudoscience and supernatural claims~~.<ref name="~~grokipedia~~">{{cite web \|title=~~Paul Kurtz~~ \|url=https://~~grokipedia~~.~~com~~/~~page~~/~~Paul_Kurtz~~ \|website=~~Grokipedia~~}}</ref> In 1980, he founded the Council for Secular Humanism and its magazine ''Free Inquiry'', for which he served as editor-in-chief, and helped draft ''A Secular Humanist Declaration'' the same year.<ref name="~~grokipedia~~" /> In 1991, Kurtz founded the Center for Inquiry (CFI) as an umbrella organisation bringing together CSICOP, the Council for Secular Humanism, and his other institutions, with the stated goal of promoting and defending "science, reason, and free inquiry in all aspects of human endeavor."<ref name="kurtzinstitute"~~>{{cite web \|title=Legacy \|url=https://www.kurtzinstitute.org/legacy \|website=Kurtz Institute}}<~~/~~ref~~> He also served as co-chair of the International Humanist and Ethical Union from 1986 to 1994.<ref name="~~handwiki~~" />		Kurtz founded the independent publishing house Prometheus Books in Amherst, New York, in August 1969, which went on to publish extensively in skeptical and secular literature and remains active today under his son, Jonathan Kurtz.<ref name="prometheus">{{cite web \|title=Prometheus Books \|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prometheus_Books \|website=Wikipedia}}</ref> In 1980, he founded the Council for Secular Humanism and its magazine ''Free Inquiry'', for which he served as editor-in-chief, and helped draft ''A Secular Humanist Declaration'' the same year.<ref name="kurtzinstitute">{{cite web \|title=Legacy \|url=https://www.kurtzinstitute.org/legacy \|website=Kurtz Institute}}</ref> In 1991, Kurtz founded the Center for Inquiry (CFI) as an umbrella organisation bringing together CSICOP, the Council for Secular Humanism, and his other institutions, based in Amherst, New York, with the stated goal of promoting and defending "science, reason, and free inquiry in all aspects of human endeavor."<ref name="kurtzinstitute" /> He also served as co-chair of the International Humanist and Ethical Union from 1986 to 1994.<ref name="humanists">{{cite web \|title=Paul Kurtz: Pillar of American Skeptic Movement \|url=https://humanists.international/2009/10/paul-kurtz-pillar-of-american-skeptic-movement/ \|website=Humanists International}}</ref>

	== Later years ==		== Later years ==
	Kurtz ~~departed~~ from the Center for Inquiry in 2010, ~~going~~ on to found the Institute for Science and Human Values. He authored more than fifty books over his career, many translated into multiple languages.<ref name="skepticuk" />		Kurtz's departure from the Center for Inquiry in 2010 followed what the Kurtz Institute has described as a difficult, years-long leadership transition; he went on to found the Institute for Science and Human Values and its journal ''The Human Prospect: A NeoHumanist Perspective'' that same year.<ref name="kurtzinstitute"/> He authored more than fifty books over his career, many translated into multiple languages.<ref name="skepticuk" />

	== Death ==		== Death ==
	Kurtz died on 20 October 2012 in [[Amherst, New York\|Amherst]], [[:Category:New York\|New York]], aged 86.<ref name="freeinquiry" /> The American Humanist Association described the loss of "one of secular humanism's most prominent advocates."<ref name="cfi">{{cite web \|title=Memories of Paul Kurtz \|url=https://centerforinquiry.org/blog/memories_of_paul_kurtz/ \|website=Center for Inquiry}}</ref>		Kurtz died on 20 October 2012 in [[Amherst, New York\|Amherst]], [[:Category:New York\|New York]], aged 86.<ref name="freeinquiry" /> The American Humanist Association described the loss of "one of secular humanism's most prominent advocates."<ref name="cfi">{{cite web \|title=Memories of Paul Kurtz \|url=https://centerforinquiry.org/blog/memories_of_paul_kurtz/ \|website=Center for Inquiry}}</ref>

			{{VaultProfileBrief
			\|category=Philosopher / Skeptical Advocate
			\|relevance=Significant
			\|connection=Founder of CSICOP (now the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry), the Council for Secular Humanism, the Center for Inquiry, and Prometheus Books
			\|assessment=Paul Kurtz is arguably the single most institutionally significant figure in the modern organised scepticism movement — CSICOP, which he founded in 1976, remains the direct institutional ancestor of most of the skeptical publishing and investigation referenced elsewhere in this archive, including Skeptical Inquirer itself. Unlike figures such as Derren Brown or Ciarán O'Keeffe, whose work is largely public-facing demonstration or academic research respectively, Kurtz's legacy is primarily organisational and institutional: he built the infrastructure — publishing houses, magazines, umbrella organisations — that much of Anglo-American scientific scepticism still operates within.
			}}

	== See also ==		== See also ==
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	* [https://centerforinquiry.org/blog/memories_of_paul_kurtz/ Center for Inquiry — Memories of Paul Kurtz]		* [https://centerforinquiry.org/blog/memories_of_paul_kurtz/ Center for Inquiry — Memories of Paul Kurtz]
	* [https://secularhumanism.org/2013/01/cont_anon_33_1/ Free Inquiry — Paul Kurtz (1925-2012)]		* [https://secularhumanism.org/2013/01/cont_anon_33_1/ Free Inquiry — Paul Kurtz (1925-2012)]
			* [https://www.kurtzinstitute.org/legacy Kurtz Institute — Legacy]

	[[Category:~~Researchers~~]]		[[Category:Skeptical Advocates]]
	[[Category:People]]		[[Category:People]]
			[[Category:Amherst, New York]]

GaryJJSpate at 17:47, 29 July 2026

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	\|name=Paul Kurtz		\|name=Paul Kurtz
	\|born=21 December 1925, [[Newark]], [[:Category:New Jersey\|New Jersey]], [[:Category:United States of America\|USA]]		\|born=21 December 1925, [[Newark]], [[:Category:New Jersey\|New Jersey]], [[:Category:United States of America\|USA]]
	\|died=20 October 2012, [[Amherst]], [[:Category:New York\|New York]], [[:Category:United States of America\|USA]]		\|died=20 October 2012, [[Amherst, New York\|Amherst]], [[:Category:New York\|New York]], [[:Category:United States of America\|USA]]
	\|occupation=Philosopher, professor emeritus		\|occupation=Philosopher, professor emeritus
	\|known_for=Founding CSICOP, the Council for Secular Humanism, and the Center for Inquiry		\|known_for=Founding CSICOP, the Council for Secular Humanism, and the Center for Inquiry
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	== Death ==		== Death ==
	Kurtz died on 20 October 2012 in [[Amherst]], New York, aged 86.<ref name="freeinquiry" /> The American Humanist Association described the loss of "one of secular humanism's most prominent advocates."<ref name="cfi">{{cite web \|title=Memories of Paul Kurtz \|url=https://centerforinquiry.org/blog/memories_of_paul_kurtz/ \|website=Center for Inquiry}}</ref>		Kurtz died on 20 October 2012 in [[Amherst, New York\|Amherst]], [[:Category:New York\|New York]], aged 86.<ref name="freeinquiry" /> The American Humanist Association described the loss of "one of secular humanism's most prominent advocates."<ref name="cfi">{{cite web \|title=Memories of Paul Kurtz \|url=https://centerforinquiry.org/blog/memories_of_paul_kurtz/ \|website=Center for Inquiry}}</ref>

	== See also ==		== See also ==

GaryJJSpate: /* External links */

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External links

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	[[Category:Researchers]]		[[Category:Researchers]]
			[[Category:People]]

GaryJJSpate: Created page with "{{PersonInfobox |name=Paul Kurtz |born=21 December 1925, Newark, New Jersey, USA |died=20 October 2012, Amherst, New York, USA |occupation=Philosopher, professor emeritus |known_for=Founding CSICOP, the Council for Secular Humanism, and the Center for Inquiry |status=Deceased }} '''Paul Winter Kurtz''' (21 December 1925 – 20 October 201..."

2026-07-29T17:10:48Z

Created page with "{{PersonInfobox |name=Paul Kurtz |born=21 December 1925, Newark, New Jersey, USA |died=20 October 2012, Amherst, New York, USA |occupation=Philosopher, professor emeritus |known_for=Founding CSICOP, the Council for Secular Humanism, and the Center for Inquiry |status=Deceased }} '''Paul Winter Kurtz''' (21 December 1925 – 20 October 201..."

New page

{{PersonInfobox
|name=Paul Kurtz
|born=21 December 1925, [[Newark]], [[:Category:New Jersey|New Jersey]], [[:Category:United States of America|USA]]
|died=20 October 2012, [[Amherst]], [[:Category:New York|New York]], [[:Category:United States of America|USA]]
|occupation=Philosopher, professor emeritus
|known_for=Founding CSICOP, the Council for Secular Humanism, and the Center for Inquiry
|status=Deceased
}}

'''Paul Winter Kurtz''' (21 December 1925 – 20 October 2012) was an American philosopher, scientific sceptic, and secular humanist, widely called "the father of secular humanism." He was the founder and longtime chair of the organisation now known as the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI), formerly the [[Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal]] (CSICOP).<ref name="freeinquiry">{{cite web |title=Paul Kurtz (1925-2012) |url=https://secularhumanism.org/2013/01/cont_anon_33_1/ |website=Free Inquiry}}</ref>

== Early life and war service ==
Kurtz was born in [[Newark]], New Jersey, to Martin and Sarah Kurtz. He enrolled briefly at Washington Square College of New York University before enlisting in the U.S. Army during the Second World War, fighting in the Battle of the Bulge and serving with a unit that liberated the Dachau concentration camp.<ref name="freeinquiry" /> He carried a copy of Plato's ''Republic'' with him throughout the war, an experience he later credited with solidifying his lifelong commitment to philosophy.<ref name="skepticuk">{{cite web |title=Paul Kurtz, Father of Secular Humanism, dies aged 86 |url=https://www.skeptic.org.uk/2012/10/kurtz-obituary/ |website=The Skeptic (UK)}}</ref> After being demobilised, he resumed his studies at New York University, where an encounter with pragmatic naturalist philosopher Sidney Hook — a student of John Dewey — became what Kurtz called "his most important intellectual experience."<ref name="skepticuk" /> He went on to complete an MA and PhD at Columbia University.<ref name="handwiki">{{cite web |title=Paul Kurtz |url=https://handwiki.org/wiki/Biography:Paul_Kurtz |website=HandWiki}}</ref>

== Academic career ==
Kurtz taught philosophy at Vassar, Trinity, and Union colleges and the New School for Social Research before joining the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1965, where he remained until his retirement as professor emeritus in 1991.<ref name="skepticuk" />

== Founding CSICOP ==
In April 1976, Kurtz and others founded the world's first organisation dedicated solely to the scientific investigation of paranormal claims at a conference at SUNY Buffalo, attended by [[Isaac Asimov]], [[Martin Gardner]], and [[James Randi]] among others. Originally named the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP), the word "Scientific" and the organisation's broader framing were partly intended to distinguish its work from ideological or politically motivated scepticism.<ref name="freeinquiry" /> CSICOP launched ''Skeptical Inquirer'' as its flagship magazine the same year.

== Secular humanism and the Center for Inquiry ==
Kurtz founded the independent publishing house Prometheus Books in 1969, which went on to issue over 1,000 titles critiquing pseudoscience and supernatural claims.<ref name="grokipedia">{{cite web |title=Paul Kurtz |url=https://grokipedia.com/page/Paul_Kurtz |website=Grokipedia}}</ref> In 1980, he founded the Council for Secular Humanism and its magazine ''Free Inquiry'', for which he served as editor-in-chief, and helped draft ''A Secular Humanist Declaration'' the same year.<ref name="grokipedia" /> In 1991, Kurtz founded the Center for Inquiry (CFI) as an umbrella organisation bringing together CSICOP, the Council for Secular Humanism, and his other institutions, with the stated goal of promoting and defending "science, reason, and free inquiry in all aspects of human endeavor."<ref name="kurtzinstitute">{{cite web |title=Legacy |url=https://www.kurtzinstitute.org/legacy |website=Kurtz Institute}}</ref> He also served as co-chair of the International Humanist and Ethical Union from 1986 to 1994.<ref name="handwiki" />

== Later years ==
Kurtz departed from the Center for Inquiry in 2010, going on to found the Institute for Science and Human Values. He authored more than fifty books over his career, many translated into multiple languages.<ref name="skepticuk" />

== Death ==
Kurtz died on 20 October 2012 in [[Amherst]], New York, aged 86.<ref name="freeinquiry" /> The American Humanist Association described the loss of "one of secular humanism's most prominent advocates."<ref name="cfi">{{cite web |title=Memories of Paul Kurtz |url=https://centerforinquiry.org/blog/memories_of_paul_kurtz/ |website=Center for Inquiry}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Skepticism]]
* [[Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal]]
* [[Martin Gardner]]
* [[James Randi]]
* [[Ray Hyman]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://centerforinquiry.org/blog/memories_of_paul_kurtz/ Center for Inquiry — Memories of Paul Kurtz]
* [https://secularhumanism.org/2013/01/cont_anon_33_1/ Free Inquiry — Paul Kurtz (1925-2012)]

[[Category:Researchers]]