Mario Sergio Cortella (born March 5, 1954) is a Brazilian philosopher, writer, educator and speaker most known for putting into the public sphere and helping popularize in questions related to philosophy in Brazilian contemporary society.

In 1973/74 he experienced the monastic life in a convent of the Discalced Carmelite Order, but abandoned the prospect of becoming a monk for an academic career.

In 1989 he completed his master's degree in education from the Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo (PUC-SP), under the guidance of Moacir Gadotti [pt], and in 1997, under the guidance of Paulo Freire, completed his doctorate in education from PUC-SP.

[2][3] He is a full professor in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies and Graduate Education at PUC-SP, beginning in 1977 and visiting professor at Fundação Dom Cabral since 1997.

He held the post of Municipal Secretary of Education of São Paulo (1991–1992) during the Erundina administration[4] and was a member of CAPES/Education Ministry Technical Scientific Council of Basic Education (2008/2010).