About
Gabriel Honoré Marcel (1889-1973) was a French philosopher, playwright, music critic and composer. A leading representative of Christian existentialism, he preferred the term 'neo-Socratism' to distinguish himself from Sartre. After passing the agrégation in philosophy in 1910, he taught in secondary schools before serving with the Red Cross during World War I, an experience that shaped his thought. Converted to Catholicism in 1929, he hosted an influential philosophical circle. His work explores being, having, availability and creative fidelity, opposing the spirit of abstraction. He authored numerous books and plays and received several prestigious awards.
* 1889-12-07 — † 1973-10-08
Major works
- Journal métaphysique (1927)philosophical essay
- Être et Avoir (1935)philosophical essay
- Homo Viator (1944)philosophical essay
- Le Mystère de l'être (1951)philosophical essay
- Un homme de Dieu (1925)play
Key milestones
- 1910Passes the agrégation in philosophy at age 21.
- 1929Converts to Catholicism under the influence of François Mauriac.
- 1948Receives the Grand Prix de Littérature from the Académie française.
Themes
Being vs. havingAvailabilityCreative fidelityOntological mysteryCritique of technological dehumaniz
Sources: plato.stanford.edu · britannica.com