Rick Turner (1941-78) was a South African philosopher and educator. He was drawn to fundamental questions regarding people and the systems they construct within which they live. A charismatic teacher, he motivated students to actively oppose the apartheid system from first principles. He was banned (ie. put under virtual house arrest) in 1973 and murdered by secret police, still not identified, in 1978.

This website has been created by a collective of Rick’s friends, among whom is Foszia, Rick’s widow.

Its first purpose is to bring together all Rick’s writings into one easily accessible place. They are in the Bibliography. This is an ongoing task as further writings and commentaries become available. We are particularly grateful to Historical Papers Archive, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa https://researcharchives.wits.ac.za/a3454 for cooperation.

The other purpose is to bring Rick’s philosophical writings into wider discussion. His essay ‘The Eye of the Needle’ outlining a future for South Africa is much debated. But his philosophical writings remain mostly unpublished and little discussed. Rick was motivated by his existential philosophy. Rick’s ideas continue to challenge how we think, live and cooperate . We invite and will publicise pieces connecting Rick’s ideas to ongoing social issues, particularly freedom of the individual and participation in society.