Ingemar Hedenius

From Philosopedia

Hedenius, Ingemar (5 April 1908 - 30 April 1982)

Hedenius, a Swedish professor of philosophy at Uppsala University, was Professor of Practical Philosophy from 1947 to 1973 at the University of Uppsala.

His grandfather, Per Hedenius (1828-1896), was a professor of pathology and for a while rector of Uppsala University. His father, Israel Hedenius (1868-1932), in 1900 was a doctor of medicine and teacher of medical practice, who in 1927 was appointed personal physician to the King of Sweden. Hedenius' mother, born Anna Bergh, was from an upper-class Norwegian family.

The two married in 1905 and had three children: Per (1905), Ingemar, and Ann Marie (1909). Both parents were very religious.

In 1949, Hedenius's Tro och vetande (Belief and Knowledge) touched off a debate concerning the teachings of Christianity. He opposed Christianity, particularly the role of the Church of Sweden.

The Annual Awards are made to leading humanists. Past winners have been:

Elisabeth Ohlson (2009); Per Kornhall (2008); PC Jersild (2007); Björn Ulvaeus (2006); Lena Andersson (2005); Barbro Westerholm (2004); Hans Alfredson (2003); George Klein (2002); Sholeh Irani (2001 ); and Dan Larhammar (2000).

(See entry for Scandinavian Unbelievers.)