Irving Babbitt
Irving Babbitt: Philosopher of Culture and Civilization
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Full Name and Common Aliases
Irving Babbitt was born on September 20, 1865, in Dayton, Ohio, USA. He is commonly referred to as I.B. Babbitt.
Birth and Death Dates
September 20, 1865 - March 18, 1933
Nationality and Profession(s)
Babbitt was an American philosopher, critic, and translator of French literature. His work spanned various disciplines, including philosophy, literary criticism, and cultural analysis.
Early Life and Background
Irving Babbitt grew up in a family that valued education and intellectual pursuits. He developed a passion for classical studies and literature at an early age. Babbitt's academic interests were shaped by his time at Harvard University, where he studied under the guidance of George Santayana and Josiah Royce. His association with these influential thinkers laid the foundation for his philosophical views.
Major Accomplishments
Babbitt made significant contributions to various fields through his writings and lectures. Some of his notable achievements include:
Philosophy of Culture: Babbitt's work, particularly in _The New Laokoon_ (1910) and _Democracy and Leadership_ (1924), explored the concept of culture as a unifying force that transcends national boundaries.
Literary Criticism: As a translator and commentator on French literature, Babbitt brought attention to works by authors like Charles Baudelaire and Paul Bourget. His critiques of modern literature helped shape the literary landscape in America during the early 20th century.
Influence on American Thought: Babbitt's ideas about culture, civilization, and individualism resonated with thinkers such as T.S. Eliot, Ezra Pound, and Allen Tate, influencing their work in various ways.Notable Works or Actions
Some of Babbitt's most notable works include:
The New Laokoon: This 1910 book is a critical analysis of modern literature, focusing on the tension between artistic expression and social responsibility.
Democracy and Leadership: In this 1924 work, Babbitt explores the relationship between democracy and leadership, advocating for an elite-led approach to governance.Impact and Legacy
Irving Babbitt's impact extends beyond his writings. His philosophical ideas continue to influence contemporary debates on culture, civilization, and individualism. As a critic of modernity and advocate for traditional values, he remains a thought-provoking figure in intellectual circles.Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Babbitt's quotes and ideas are frequently referenced due to their relevance to ongoing discussions about:
The Role of Culture: Babbitt's emphasis on culture as a unifying force continues to inspire debate about its role in shaping individual identity and societal values.
* Individualism vs. Collectivism: His critiques of excessive individualism and advocacy for an elite-led approach to governance remain pertinent in discussions about social responsibility and leadership.
Babbitt's work serves as a reminder that intellectual traditions, cultural heritage, and philosophical ideas have the power to shape our understanding of the world and ourselves.
Quotes by Irving Babbitt
Equality as it is currently pursued is incompatible with true liberty; for liberty involves an inner working with reference to standards, the right subordination, in other words, of man’s ordinary will to a higher will. There is an inevitable clash, in short, between equality and humility.
Yet Aristotle’s excellence of substance, so far from being associated with the grand style, is associated with something that at times comes perilously near jargon.
A man needs to look, not down, but up to standards set so much above his ordinary self as to make him feel that he is himself “spiritually” the underdog. Anyone who thus looks up has some chance of becoming worthy to be looked up to in turn.
Perhaps as good a classification as any of the main types is that of the three lusts distinguished by traditional Christianity – the lust of knowledge, the lust of sensation, and the lust of power.
A gross and palpable error of the era that is just closing has been the confusion of mechanical and material progress with moral progress.
The humanities need to be defended to-day against the encroachments of physical science, as they once needed to be against the encroachment of theology.
Commercialism is laying its great greasy paw upon everything including the irresponsible quest of thrills; so that, whatever democracy may be theoretically, one is sometimes tempted to define it practically as standardized and commercialized melodrama.
It is well to open one's mind but only as a preliminary to closing it ... for the supreme act of judgment and selection.
This comparative indifference to clearness and consistency of thought is visible even in that chief object of our national concern, education.
One of our federal judges said, not long ago, that what the American people need is ten per cent of thought and ninety per cent of action.