Felix Adler (1851–1933) was a distinguished professor, social reformer, and intellectual figure well-known for his pioneering work in the field of ethics and education. Born in Germany and raised in an environment steeped in Jewish intellectual tradition, Adler's worldview was significantly shaped by his upbringing. His move to the United States at a young age further broadened his philosophical outlook, leading him to establish the ethical culture movement, which aimed at self-improvement and societal progress through ethical deeds and values, rather than through religious doctrine.
As a professor of political and social ethics at Columbia University, he influenced countless students with his innovative thinking. Adler's deep concern for social issues is reflected in his numerous written works, including 'The Punishment of Children' (1915), where he discusses the moral implications of child discipline and the importance of fostering responsibility and respect through education rather than through punitive measures. His literary style, characterized by clarity and moral urgency, aims to invoke practical change in societal norms and individual behavior. Adler's dedication to improving the human condition through reasoned argumentation and ethical conduct remains influential, underlining his status as a seminal figure in modern humanist thought.