Jean Cavaillès facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jean Cavaillès
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| Born | 15 May 1903 Saint-Maixent, France
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| Died | 4 April 1944 (aged 40) |
| Education | École Normale Supérieure University of Paris |
| Era | 20th-century philosophy |
| Region | Western philosophy |
| School | Continental philosophy French historical epistemology |
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Main interests
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Philosophy of mathematics |
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Notable ideas
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Philosophy of the concept, dialectics of the concept (dialectique du concept) |
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Influences
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Influenced
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Jean Cavaillès (born May 15, 1903 – died April 4, 1944) was a brilliant French thinker. He was a philosopher and a logician. This means he studied deep questions about knowledge, truth, and how we think, especially in mathematics and science. During World War II, he became a brave member of the French Resistance. He fought against the Nazi occupation and was sadly killed for his actions.
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Early Life and Learning
Jean Cavaillès was born in Saint-Maixent, France. He was very smart from a young age. He finished high school (called baccalauréat in France) in 1919. He then studied mathematics and philosophy.
In 1923, he went to a famous school called the École Normale Supérieure. He studied philosophy there. After graduating, he began working on his advanced degrees. He even traveled to Germany to study in 1931.
He worked as a teaching assistant at the École Normale Supérieure. Later, he taught at a high school in Amiens. In 1937, he earned his doctorate from the University of Paris. He then became a professor at the University of Strasbourg, teaching logic and philosophy.
Fighting in World War II
When World War II began in 1939, Jean Cavaillès joined the army. He was an infantry lieutenant. He showed great bravery and was honored twice. In June 1940, he was captured by the enemy.
However, he managed to escape in July 1940. He fled to Clermont-Ferrand, where his university from Strasbourg had moved.
Joining the Resistance Movement
In late 1940, Cavaillès met Emmanuel d'Astier de la Vigerie. Together, they formed a small group of resistance fighters. They called their group "the Last Column." To share their message widely, they started a secret newspaper. This newspaper became known as Libération.
Cavaillès played a big part in writing for the newspaper. The first edition came out in July 1941. This paper helped spread news and ideas for the Resistance.
Secret Missions and Arrests
In 1941, Cavaillès became a professor at the Sorbonne in Paris. He helped create the Libération-Nord resistance group there. He became part of its leadership team.
In April 1942, he was asked to set up a spy network in northern France. This network was called "Cohors." He also formed similar groups in Belgium and other parts of France.
In September 1942, he was arrested by the French police in Narbonne. He tried to escape to London but failed. He was held in a prison camp in Montpellier. But he escaped again in December 1942!
While in prison, he wrote a book. It was published after his death in 1946.
Final Actions and Sacrifice
The Vichy regime (the French government that worked with the Nazis) declared him an enemy. The police were looking for him. In February 1943, he secretly went to London. There, he met General Charles de Gaulle, the leader of the Free French forces.
Cavaillès returned to France on April 15, 1943. He left his leadership role in the Libération movement. He wanted to focus entirely on direct action against the enemy. He organized sabotage missions. These included destroying German naval supplies in Brittany and German radio stations on the coast.
On August 28, 1943, he was betrayed and arrested in Paris. His sister and brother-in-law were also arrested. He was questioned harshly and imprisoned in Fresnes and Compiègne prisons. He was then moved to the Citadel from Arras.
Jean Cavaillès was executed on April 4, 1944. He was first buried in Arras in an unmarked grave. In 1946, his body was moved and buried in the Crypt at the Sorbonne in Paris.
His Lasting Impact
Jean Cavaillès is remembered as a hero. In 1969, a special center was opened in Paris in his honor. It is called the Centre Cavaillès. It studies the history and philosophy of science.
The philosopher Georges Canguilhem spoke at the opening. He said Cavaillès was "a philosopher-mathematician loaded with explosives, lucid and reckless, resolute without optimism. If that's not a hero, what is a hero?"
Cavaillès is also honored on a postage stamp set called "Heroes of the Resistance."
His story even inspired a movie! The character of Luc Jardie in the 1969 film L'Armée des ombres (The Army of Shadows) was partly based on Jean Cavaillès.
Military Honors
Jean Cavaillès received many honors for his bravery and service:
- Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur (Knight of the Legion of Honor)
- Compagnon de la Libération (Companion of the Liberation)
- Croix de Guerre 39/45 (War Cross)
- Médaille de la Résistance (Resistance Medal)
- Officier de l'Ordre de la Couronne de Belgique (Officer of the Order of the Crown of Belgium)
- Médaille de la Résistance (Belgium)
See also
In Spanish: Jean Cavaillès para niños
