Origins & Early Life

John Harwood Hick (20 January 1922 – 9 February 2012) was an English philosopher and theologian, known for his contributions in the areas of theodicy, eschatology, Christology, epistemology of religion, and religious pluralism. John Harwood Hick was born on 20 January 1922 to a middle-class family in Scarborough in the North Riding of Yorkshire, England. In his teens he developed an interest in philosophy and religion, being encouraged by his uncle, who was an author and teacher at the University of Manchester. Hick initially went to Bootham School in York, which is Quaker, and then pursued a law degree at the University of Hull, but, having converted to Evangelical Christianity, he decided to change his career and he enrolled at the University of Edinburgh in 1941.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

During his studies he became liable for military service in the Second World War, but, as a conscientious objector on moral grounds, he enrolled in the Friends' Ambulance Unit. After the war he returned to Edinburgh and became attracted to the philosophy of Immanuel Kant, and began to question his fundamentalism. In 1948 he completed his MA thesis, which formed the basis of his book Faith and...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Aage Bohr — Contemporary (Born in 1922) (1922): Pioneering Danish nuclear physicist, Nobel laureate for atomic structure theory.
• Agostinho Neto — Contemporary (Born in 1922) (1922): Angolan communist revolutionary, poet, and first President of Angola.
• Alain Resnais — Contemporary (Born in 1922) (1922): Pioneering French filmmaker exploring memory, consciousness, and narrative structure.
• Adam Yauch — Contemporary (Died in 2012) (2012): Founding member of Beastie Boys; influential rapper, filmmaker, and Tibetan activist.
• Alfred F. Young — Contemporary (Died in 2012) (2012): Pioneering American historian of the Revolution and working-class social history.
• Blue Ivy Carter — Contemporary (Born in 2012) (2012): American singer, actress, and dancer, daughter of Beyoncé and Jay-Z.
• Adam Oehlenschläger — Shared historical date (01-20 · Died) (1850): Pioneering Danish Romantic poet and playwright who shaped national literature.
• Al-Shafi'i — Shared historical date (01-20 · Died) (820): Founder of the Shāfiʿī school of Sunni Islamic jurisprudence and jurist.
• Adolph Menzel — Shared historical date (02-09 · Died) (1905): Pioneering German Realist master, celebrated for his detailed etchings and genre scenes.
• Alban Berg — Shared historical date (02-09 · Born) (1885): Key figure of the Second Viennese School, blending Romanticism with twelve-tone technique.
• 1922 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1922
• January 20 (01-20) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on January 20
• 2012 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 2012
• February 9 (02-09) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on February 9