Étienne Gilson facts for kids

Étienne Henri Gilson (French: [ʒilsɔ̃]; 13 June 1884 – 19 September 1978) was a famous French philosopher and historian of philosophy. He was an expert in medieval philosophy, which is the study of ideas from the Middle Ages. He also studied the ideas of René Descartes and Thomas Aquinas. Gilson was so respected that he became a member of the Académie française, a very important French institution. He was even nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature.

Étienne Gilson's Early Life and Studies

Étienne Gilson was born in Paris, France, in 1884. His family was Roman Catholic. He went to school at Notre-Dame-des-Champs and then Lycée Henri IV.

After serving in the military, Gilson began reading about René Descartes. He then studied for his bachelor's degree in philosophy. He focused on how medieval ideas influenced Descartes' thinking. He studied at the University of Paris (Sorbonne) and the Collège de France. In 1906, he finished his philosophy degree. In 1908, he got married and started teaching in high schools.

World War I and Captivity

In 1913, Gilson earned his doctorate degree from the University of Paris. His studies focused on "Liberty in Descartes and Theology."

His career was put on hold when World War I began. He joined the French Army as a sergeant. He fought on the front lines and took part in the Battle of Verdun. In 1916, he was captured and spent two years as a prisoner. During this time, he learned Russian and studied St. Bonaventure. He was later given the Croix de Guerre for his bravery.

Teaching and Achievements

After the war, Gilson became a professor in 1919. He taught the history of philosophy at the University of Strasbourg. From 1921 to 1932, he taught about medieval philosophy at the University of Paris.

His fame grew, and he was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1929. In 1930, he received an honorary doctorate from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas. He was one of the first to receive this honor, along with Jacques Maritain.

Gilson also taught at Harvard University for three years. He helped create the Pontifical Institute of Medieval Studies in Toronto, Canada. This institute still hosts an annual lecture in his honor. In 1946, he was elected to the prestigious Académie française. He also became an international member of the American Philosophical Society in 1948.

In 1951, he left his teaching position at the Collège de France. He wanted to focus completely on the Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies. He worked there until 1968.

Étienne Gilson's Philosophical Work

Gilson was a leading expert on the history of medieval philosophy. He was also a respected philosopher himself. He studied Thomism, which is the philosophy of Thomas Aquinas. Gilson believed that Thomism was not old-fashioned. Instead, he saw it as a way to challenge old ideas.

He thought that modern philosophy was becoming too focused on science. He worried this would make humans lose their ability to make moral judgments. Gilson believed that bringing back the ideas of Thomas Aquinas could help solve this problem.

His books are still printed and studied today. His work and reputation remain strong, even as interest in medieval philosophy has changed over time.

See also

• John F. X. Knasas
• Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies
• In Spanish: Étienne Gilson para niños