Josef Pieper
Josef Pieper: A Philosopher of Wonder and Contemplation
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Josef Pieper was a German philosopher, born on April 4, 1904, in Bisperich, Germany. He is commonly referred to as Professor Pieper, due to his esteemed academic career.
Birth and Death Dates
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Pieper was born in 1904 and passed away on June 17, 1997, at the age of 93.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Josef Pieper was a German philosopher, theologian, and educator. His work spans various disciplines, including philosophy, theology, literature, and education.
Early Life and Background
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Pieper's early life was marked by a strong Christian upbringing in his family. He grew up in a small town in Germany and developed an interest in philosophy and literature at a young age. Pieper's academic pursuits began at the University of Bonn, where he studied classical philology, philosophy, and theology.
Major Accomplishments
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- Influence on Education: Pieper was a strong advocate for liberal education and the importance of contemplation in learning. He argued that education should be focused on cultivating the mind and soul rather than mere technical skills.
- Philosophical Contributions: Pieper's work spanned various areas, including phenomenology, metaphysics, and ethics. His philosophical contributions had a significant impact on German philosophy during the 20th century.
- Translating the Classics: Pieper was also an accomplished translator of classical texts, particularly those of Aristotle.
Notable Works or Actions
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Some of Pieper's notable works include:
_"Leisure: The Basis of Culture"_ (1948)
_"The Four Dimensions of Nature: An Essay on the Work of Jacob Boehme"_ (1953)
* _"Scholasticism: Personalities and Problems of Medieval Philosophy"_ (1960)
Impact and Legacy
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Josef Pieper's work has had a lasting impact on various fields, including philosophy, education, and theology. His emphasis on contemplation, leisure, and the importance of classical texts continues to inspire scholars and educators.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Pieper's writings are widely quoted due to their insightful observations on human nature, culture, and society. His work encourages readers to adopt a more introspective and contemplative approach to life, which has resonated with many people across the world.
By exploring Pieper's biography, we can gain a deeper understanding of his thoughts and ideas that have shaped the philosophical landscape of the 20th century.
Quotes by Josef Pieper
Josef Pieper's insights on:
The vacancy left by absence of worship is filled by mere killing of time and by boredom, which is directly related to inability to enjoy leisure; for one can only be bored if the spiritual power to be leisurely has been lost.
Separated from the sphere of divine worship, of the cult of the divine, and from the power it radiates, leisure is as impossible as the celebration of a feast. Cut off from the worship of the divine, leisure becomes laziness and work inhuman.
The soul of leisure, it can be said, lies in “celebration”. Celebration is the point at which the three elements of leisure come to a focus: relaxation, effortlessness, and superiority of “active leisure” to all functions.
The happy life does not mean loving what we possess, but possessing what we love.” Possession of the beloved, St. Thomas holds, takes place in an act of cognition, in seeing, in intuition, in contemplation.
He who knows does not feel wonder. It could not be said that God experiences wonder, for God knows in the most absolute and perfect way.
Public discourse, the moment it becomes basically neutralized with regard to a strict standard of truth, stands by its nature ready to serve as an instrument in the hands of any ruler to pursue all kinds of power schemes.
Leisure, it must be remembered, is not a Sunday afternoon idyll, but the preserve of freedom, of education and culture, and of that undiminished humanity which views the world as a whole.
Aristotle says of leisure, “A man will live thus, not to the extent that he is a man, but to the extent that a divine principle dwells within him.”16.
Divine worship means the same thing where time is concerned, as the temple where space is concerned. “Temple” means... that a particular piece of ground is specially reserved, and marked off from the remainder of the land which is used either for agriculture or habitation... Similarly in divine worship a certain definite space of time is set aside from working hours and days... and like the space allotted to the temple, is not used, is withdrawn from all merely utilitarian ends.