A life ends, but a legacy lives on: Remembering professor Miloslav Dokulil – respected teacher, philosopher, friend, and colleague
With deep sadness, we announce the passing of professor Miloslav Dokulil.
On November 29, 2024, Professor Miloslav Dokulil passed away peacefully at the age of 96 after a brief period of health complications. His departure was sudden and unexpected, leaving a profound void in our hearts.
Professor Dokulil became a member of the academic community at the Faculty of Informatics, Masaryk University, at the age of 67, where he achieved the longest uninterrupted academic tenure of his career. His arrival was driven by a visionary desire to introduce what we now know as CORE courses into the early years of study at the faculty, inspired by similar elements of computer science programs at prestigious American universities such as Stanford, Harvard, and Cornell.
Professionally, Professor Dokulil was a scholar who transcended disciplines, often identified as a philosopher, theologian, or even a political scientist. He was appointed as a professor of the history of philosophy and social philosophy at Masaryk University in 1992. His remarkable career also included being one of the first participants in computer science courses at Brno University of Technology in 1959-60. His intellectual pursuits ranged from interpreting Einstein’s theory of relativity and the works of Kurt Gödel to authoring widely used textbooks on logic.
Despite these achievements, his career faced significant adversity. In 1969, he was dismissed from the university and banned from academia during the normalization period (1970-1989). Although unable to teach or publish officially, he continued to contribute through informal gatherings and discussions with like-minded individuals. He also led yoga workshops and philosophical discussions, exemplifying his resilience and commitment to intellectual growth.
After returning to the university, he dedicated himself to establishing the Department of Philosophy and Civic Education at the Faculty of Education of Masaryk University. After concluding his tenure there, he developed a series of lectures in areas such as the philosophy of science, theory of thought, the legacy of John Locke, as well as religious studies, political science, ethics, and the philosophical thinking of T. G. Masaryk. These lectures helped students of the Faculty of Informatics at Masaryk University to broaden their studies beyond the narrowly focused specialization in informatics.
Professor Dokulil was a curious, open-minded, and friendly figure who also demanded rigor from his students. The faculty was a true academic home, and he took pride in shaping students in the spirit of a comprehensive university education. Generations of students fondly recall his lectures, often returning to them even after completing the required coursework. He was a testament to the idea that wisdom is best imparted through personal connection.
We mourn the loss of a brilliant mind, a dedicated teacher, and a kind soul.
In Memory of Professor Miloslav Dokulil
Jiří Zlatuška
Brno, December 3, 2024
Invitation to the Farewell Ceremony
On behalf of the family, including his grandson Filip and granddaughter Marieta, we extend a heartfelt invitation to the farewell ceremony for Professor Miloslav Dokulil:
Date and Time: Thursday, December 5, 2024, at 10:00 AM
Location: Main ceremonial hall, Central cemetery, Vídeňská 96, Brno
The final farewell will take place at the graveside after a brief remembrance in the hall.
May his memory be honored forever.
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