John Ralston Saul
Biography of John Ralston Saul
Full Name and Common Aliases
Full Name: John Ralston Saul
Common Aliases: Often referred to simply as John Saul in literary circles.
Birth and Death Dates
Birth Date: June 19, 1947
Death Date: N/A
Nationality and Profession(s)
Nationality: Canadian
Profession(s): Author, Essayist, Philosopher, and Public Intellectual
Early Life and Background
John Ralston Saul was born on June 19, 1947, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. His early life was marked by a diverse and international upbringing, as his father was a Canadian Air Force officer, which led the family to live in various countries. This exposure to different cultures and ideas from a young age played a significant role in shaping Saul's worldview and intellectual pursuits.
Saul pursued higher education at McGill University in Montreal, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1969. He furthered his studies at King's College, University of London, where he completed a Ph.D. in 1972. His doctoral thesis focused on the modernization of France under Charles de Gaulle, a topic that would later influence his interest in the interplay between politics and culture.
Major Accomplishments
John Ralston Saul is renowned for his contributions to literature and public discourse. He has authored numerous books that explore themes of individualism, citizenship, and the role of the state. His works often challenge conventional wisdom and encourage readers to think critically about societal structures.
One of Saul's most significant accomplishments is his role as a leading voice in the promotion of Canadian identity and values. He served as the President of PEN International from 2009 to 2015, where he advocated for freedom of expression and the protection of writers worldwide. His leadership in this role underscored his commitment to human rights and the power of literature as a tool for social change.
Notable Works or Actions
John Ralston Saul's literary career is marked by several influential works. His 1995 book, "The Unconscious Civilization," won the Governor General's Award for Non-Fiction and is considered a seminal critique of contemporary economic and political systems. In this work, Saul argues that society has become overly reliant on corporate and bureaucratic structures, leading to a decline in individual autonomy and civic responsibility.
Another notable work is "Voltaire's Bastards: The Dictatorship of Reason in the West," published in 1992. This book examines the limitations of rationalism and the ways in which it has been used to justify unethical practices in Western societies. Saul's ability to weave historical analysis with philosophical inquiry has made this book a staple in discussions about the role of reason in modern life.
Impact and Legacy
John Ralston Saul's impact extends beyond his written works. As a public intellectual, he has been a vocal advocate for the importance of citizenship and the responsibilities that come with it. His ideas have influenced policymakers, educators, and activists, encouraging a more engaged and thoughtful approach to governance and community involvement.
Saul's legacy is also evident in his efforts to promote Canadian culture and identity. He has been a staunch supporter of bilingualism and multiculturalism, emphasizing the need for Canada to embrace its diverse heritage. His work has helped shape the national conversation around what it means to be Canadian in a globalized world.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
John Ralston Saul is widely quoted and remembered for his incisive critiques of modern society and his ability to articulate complex ideas in an accessible manner. His writings challenge readers to question the status quo and consider alternative perspectives on governance, economics, and culture. Saul's emphasis on the importance of active citizenship and his advocacy for freedom of expression resonate with audiences seeking to understand and navigate the complexities of contemporary life.
His thought-provoking insights and eloquent prose have earned him a place among the most respected public intellectuals of his time. Whether through his books, essays, or public speeches, John Ralston Saul continues to inspire individuals to engage with the world around them and strive for a more just and equitable society.
Quotes by John Ralston Saul
You look around the world in 2013, and you say, 'How many prime ministers or presidents are in prison?' One or two. 'How many generals or bankers?' Two or three. 'But how many writers?' 850 or so.
People are always saying it's the end of the Gutenberg era. More to the point, it's a return to an oral era. The Gutenberg galaxy was about the written word. At its best, the digital era is part of the rediscovery of the oral. At its worst, it's a Kafkaesque victory of the bureaucratic over the imagination.
Grand economic theories rarely last more than a few decades. Some, if they are particularly in tune with technological or political events, may make it to half a century. Beyond that, little short of military force can keep them in place.
The wild open-market theory that died in 1929 had a run of just over thirty years. Communism, a complete melding of religious, economic, and global theories, stretched to seventy years in Russia and forty-five years in central Europe, thanks precisely to the intensive use of military and police force.
Keynesianism, if you add its flexible, muscular form during the Depression to its more rigid postwar version, lasted forty-five years. Our own Globalization, with its technocratic and technological determinism and market idolatry, had thirty years. And now it, too, is dead.
Canada is the only country in the West that hasn't given in to the rhetoric of fear. The dominant rhetoric is a line of inclusion.
Languages and cultures are disappearing at an enormously fast rate, and many of them are in Canada. These are extreme examples of removal of freedom of expression - to actually lose a language and the ability to express that culture.
It's quite humbling when you see the list of writers who have been president of PEN and you know some of the things they've done.
There's two ways of dealing with fears of mortality. One of them is to hide, so every day you wear the same suit and go to the same job... and the other is to reinvent yourself. I think I reinvent myself all the time. The idea that I would have to be one thing for the rest of my life would just be a soul-destroying idea.
In my mind, there's not a great difference between what people call fiction and non-fiction. So in that sense, I'm like an early-18th-century person. I actually believe there's one way of writing.