Sidney Morgenbesser

Sidney Morgenbesser (September 22, 1921 – August 1, 2004) was an American philosopher and professor at Columbia University. Born in New York City, he pursued his philosophical studies at the City College of New York and later at the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned his Ph.D. in 1956. Morgenbesser joined the philosophy department at Columbia University in 1955, eventually becoming the John Dewey Professor of Philosophy. He was recognized for his sharp wit and insightful humor, earning him the nickname "Sidewalk Socrates." Though he published little, his influence as a teacher was profound, with notable students including Hilary Putnam, Robert Nozick, and Jerry Fodor. His areas of expertise included the philosophy of social science, political philosophy, epistemology, and the history of American Pragmatism. He died in 2004 from complications due to ALS.