William Barrett
William Barrett: Philosopher, Author, and Intellectual Giant
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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William Barrett was a philosopher, author, and educator who is widely recognized for his contributions to the fields of philosophy, psychology, and literary criticism. He is often referred to as Bill Barrett or W.B.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born on September 29, 1900, in Boston, Massachusetts, William Barrett passed away on May 8, 1992, at the age of 91.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Barrett was an American philosopher, author, and professor. He held various academic positions throughout his career, including chair of the philosophy department at New York University's Washington Square College.
Early Life and Background
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William Barrett grew up in a family that valued education and intellectual pursuits. His father, William F. Barrett, was a lawyer, while his mother, Margaret (née O'Brien) Barrett, was an artist. Barrett's early life was marked by a strong interest in philosophy, literature, and the arts. He attended Boston College High School before going on to study at Harvard University.
Major Accomplishments
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During his academic career, Barrett made significant contributions to various fields. He is particularly noted for:
His work as a translator of French philosopher Gabriel Marcel's writings, which helped introduce Marcel's ideas to an English-speaking audience.
His involvement in the development of existentialism and phenomenology in America during the mid-20th century.
* His influential book Irish Grace, published in 1953, which explores themes of Irish culture, philosophy, and spirituality.
Notable Works or Actions
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Some notable works by William Barrett include:
1. The Lure of Intimacy (1952), a philosophical exploration of human relationships.
2. Irish Grace, as mentioned earlier.
3. The Truants: Adventures Among the Irregulars at Harvard (1934), an autobiographical account of his time at Harvard.
Impact and Legacy
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William Barrett's impact on American philosophy, literature, and education cannot be overstated. His work as a translator and interpreter of French existentialism helped shape the intellectual landscape in America during the mid-20th century. He also influenced generations of scholars through his teaching and writing. As a result, he is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in American philosophy.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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William Barrett's quotes are often cited for their insight into human nature, philosophy, and culture. His perspectives on topics such as spirituality, morality, and the search for meaning continue to resonate with readers today.
Quotes by William Barrett
William Barrett's insights on:
Much like tobacco companies want to keep smokers dependent on their deadly product, the oil industry wants to keep California dependent on oil – an expensive, dirty and limited resource that damages health.
If we are to redeem any part of our world from the brute march of power, we may have to begin as modern art does by exalting some of the humble and dirty little corners of existence.
For man to enter history as the rational animal, it was necessary for him to be convinced that the objects of his reasoning, the Ideas, were more real than his own individual person or the particular objects that made up his world. The great step forward into rationalism required its own mythology – such perhaps is always the ambiguity of human evolution.
We really know time, says Heidegger, because we know we are going to die. Without this passionate realization of our mortality, time would be simply a movement of the clock that we watch passively, calculating its advance – a movement devoid of human meaning.
Faith can no more be described to a thoroughly rational mind than the idea of colors can be conveyed to a blind man.
When faith is full, it dares to express its anger, for faith is the openness of the whole man toward his God, and therefore must be able to encompass all human modes of being.
The word “intelligentsia” is of Russian origin; its coinage bears witness to the fact that intellectuals, whatever their original social or economic class, felt themselves a distinct cultural group in Russia because by their very nature they were alienated from the rest of the society.
For the thinker, as for the artist, what counts in life is not the number of rare and exciting adventures he encounters, but the inner depth in that life, by which something great may be made out of even the paltriest and most banal of occurrences.
To discover one’s own spiritual poverty is to achieve a positive conquest by the spirit.