Owen Barfield
Owen Barfield: A Philosopher's Journey Through Time
Full Name and Common Aliases
Owen Barfield was born on November 8, 1898, in Derby, England. His full name is Oswald Avery Barfield, although he is commonly referred to as Owen Barfield.
Birth and Death Dates
Barfield lived a long and fulfilling life, passing away on January 1, 1997, at the age of 98.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Owen Barfield was a British philosopher, literary critic, poet, novelist, and translator. His work spanned various disciplines, including philosophy, literature, and mysticism.
Early Life and Background
Barfield grew up in Derby, England, where he developed a deep love for nature and the outdoors. He spent much of his childhood exploring the surrounding countryside and reading widely on subjects ranging from mythology to science. This early exposure to diverse ideas would later shape his philosophical perspectives.
As a young man, Barfield was drawn to the world of literature, particularly the works of William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Their poetry and philosophical writings had a profound impact on him, influencing his own literary endeavors. He also developed an interest in mysticism and spirituality, which would become a central aspect of his later work.
Major Accomplishments
Owen Barfield is perhaps best known for his contributions to the field of philosophical anthropology. His most notable achievement is The Saving Reality: A Philosophical Dialogue, a thought-provoking exploration of human existence, nature, and the divine. This work showcases Barfield's unique blend of philosophical insight, literary flair, and spiritual depth.
In addition to his written works, Barfield was an influential member of the Inklings, a group of Oxford scholars and writers who met regularly to discuss literature and philosophy. The Inklings included notable figures such as C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Charles Williams, with whom Barfield developed lasting friendships and intellectual partnerships.
Notable Works or Actions
Some of Owen Barfield's most significant works include:
The Romantic Movement and Its Theory in England from the 1700s to the Present Day (1957) - a comprehensive analysis of the Romantic movement's impact on English literature.
History, Guilt & Habit: Essays (1979) - a collection of essays exploring various themes, including historical interpretation, moral responsibility, and the nature of habit.
* Unreal Estate (1982) - a philosophical novel that delves into the realms of time, space, and human experience.
Impact and Legacy
Owen Barfield's influence extends far beyond his written works. As a member of the Inklings, he played a significant role in shaping the literary landscape of 20th-century England. His friendship with C.S. Lewis, in particular, was instrumental in fostering creative collaborations and intellectual debates.
Barfield's philosophical anthropology has also inspired new generations of thinkers and writers. His concept of "the saving reality" - a term he coined to describe the ultimate reality that underlies human existence - continues to resonate with readers seeking deeper meaning and purpose.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Owen Barfield's enduring popularity can be attributed to his unique blend of philosophical insight, literary flair, and spiritual depth. His work transcends disciplinary boundaries, speaking to readers from diverse backgrounds and intellectual traditions.
As a thinker, writer, and conversationalist, Barfield was known for his wit, humor, and kindness. His ability to engage with complex ideas in an accessible manner has made him a beloved figure among scholars and laypeople alike.
Today, Owen Barfield's legacy continues to inspire new generations of philosophers, writers, and thinkers. His quotes and writings remain widely read and referenced, offering insights into the human condition that are as relevant now as they were during his lifetime.
Quotes by Owen Barfield
It was a question of steering Christian dogma between the Scylla of pantheism and the Charybdis of materialism and its logical conclusion, scepticism.
Nobody who understands the amount of pain and energy which go to the creation of new instruments of thought can feel anything but respect for the philosophy of the Middle Ages.
We can only cope with the dangers of language if we recognize that language is by nature magical and therefore highly dangerous.
When a new thing or a new idea comes into the consciousness of the community, it is described, not by a new word, but by the name of the pre-existing object which most closely resembles it.
When any significant change takes place in the moral standards of a community, it is immediately reflected in a general shifting of the meanings of common words.
In the common words we use every day, souls of past races, the thoughts and feelings of individual men stand around us, not dead, but frozen into their attitudes like the courtiers in the garden of the Sleeping Beauty.
When the velocity of progress increases beyond a certain point, it becomes indistinguishable from crisis.
There is no surer or more illuminating way of reading a man’s character, and perhaps a little of his past history, than by observing the contexts in which he prefers to use certain words.
The obvious is the hardest thing of all to point out to anyone who has genuinely lost sight of it.
As we see it, the whole outlook brought about by the scientific revolution should have been--must be--a phase, only, of the evolution of consciousness. An absolutely indispensable phase, but a passing one. What is riveting it on to us and preventing us from superseding it, because it prevents us from even imaging any other kind of consciousness, is precisely this error of projecting it back into the past.