Ioanna Kuçuradi, one of Türkiye's foremost philosophers whose groundbreaking work on ethics and human rights shaped generations of scholars, died at 89 while receiving treatment at an Istanbul hospital.
Kuçuradi, president of the Philosophical Society of Türkiye and honorary president of the International Federation of Philosophical Societies, died at Maltepe University Faculty of Medicine Training and Research Hospital.
A memorial ceremony will be held at Maltepe University before Kuçuradi is laid to rest at the Şişli Greek Orthodox Cemetery in Istanbul.
Presidential Communications Director Burhanettin Duran expressed condolences over Kuçuradi's death, describing her as a distinguished philosopher who left a lasting mark on Türkiye's intellectual life.
"I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our esteemed philosopher, Professor Ioanna Kuçuradi," Duran said in a social media post.
He said Kuçuradi had left a lasting legacy through her work in philosophy and human rights, as well as the generations of students she taught.
Duran extended his condolences to her family, relatives, students, colleagues and the wider philosophy community.
The ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) spokesman Ömer Çelik also mourned Kuçuradi, calling her a highly respected teacher and intellectual.
"We have lost Professor Ioanna Kuçuradi, a teacher of teachers. We are deeply saddened," Çelik said on social media.
Çelik said Kuçuradi taught generations to view philosophy as "the art of being human" and dedicated her work to defending human dignity.
"She was a great value and a true guide," he said, adding that she would be remembered whenever people spoke about "being and remaining human."
Born in Istanbul on Oct. 4, 1936, Kuçuradi graduated from Zapyon Girls' High School in 1954 and Istanbul University's Department of Philosophy in 1959. She received her doctorate in 1965.
She worked at Atatürk University in the eastern province of Erzurum from 1965 to 1968, became an associate professor in 1970 and was promoted to professor in 1978.
Kuçuradi founded Hacettepe University's Department of Philosophy in 1969 and headed the department until her retirement in 2003.
She also served from 1997 as director of Hacettepe University's Centre for Research and Application of the Philosophy of Human Rights and held the UNESCO Chair established within the center.
