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Henri Gouhier

Henri Gouhier was a French philosopher, historian of philosophy, and literary critic known for his studies of Descartes, Malebranche, Bergson, and his impact on intellectual history.

1. Biography

Henri Gouhier's life was marked by a distinguished academic career, beginning with his early education and culminating in a long tenure at the Sorbonne.

1.1. Birth and Early Life

Henri Gouhier was born on December 5, 1898, in Auxerre, Yonne, France, into an ordinary family. His early education included preparatory classes for military humanities grandes écoles. In 1919, he gained admission to the École Normale Supérieure through the "Armistice" competitive examination, entering as a special student exempted from military mobilization, which allowed him to fill a vacancy for a general entrant. While a student at the École Normale Supérieure, Gouhier founded a newspaper titled Le Monde où Lanson nuit, a satirical reference to the then-director Gustave Lanson and influenced by Édouard Pailleron's Le Monde où l'on s'ennuie. However, the newspaper was quickly discontinued.

1.2. Education

Gouhier's academic journey was marked by early success. He completed his Agrégation in philosophy, ranking first, in 1921. He also graduated from the Religious Sciences section of the École Pratique des Hautes Études in 1923, the same year he earned a Doctorate in Literature. He later completed another doctorate in 1926.

1.3. Early Career

Gouhier began his professional career as a philosophy teacher at the Lycée de Troyes from 1925 to 1928. Following this, he taught philosophy at the Faculty of Arts at the University of Lille between 1929 and 1940. He then moved to the University of Bordeaux, where he taught during 1940 and 1941. He briefly paused his academic career for involvement in politics.

1.4. Professorship at the Sorbonne

From 1941 to 1968, Gouhier held a professorship at the Sorbonne for twenty-seven years. During this period, he held the prestigious chair for the history of French religious thought from the 17th century. His contributions to academia were further recognized with honorary doctorates from the University of Geneva in 1975 and the University of Rome.

1.5. Personal Life

Henri Gouhier was married twice. In 1928, he married Marianne Moise (1903-1948). After her death in 1948, he remarried in 1950 to Marie-Louise Dufour (1920-2014).

1.6. Death

Henri Gouhier died in Paris on March 31, 1994.

2. Academic Activities and Writings

Henri Gouhier's academic work was characterized by a deep engagement with the history of philosophy, particularly French thought, and an extensive body of published works spanning several decades.

2.1. Philosophical Interests

In the field of philosophy, Henri Gouhier primarily dedicated himself to French philosophy, particularly the period between Descartes and Bergson. In a letter dated November 7, 1920, his mentor Étienne Gilson encouraged him to "bridge the gap between Descartes and Saint Thomas." However, Gouhier did not follow this directive, instead focusing his interests on modern studies. He was deeply interested in Cartesianism, metaphysics, and French spiritualism, and explored the connection of these philosophical currents to humanism and existential issues. His work, such as Le Drame de l'humanisme athée (1944), had a significant impact on figures like the Jesuit theologian Henri de Lubac.

2.2. Major Works

Henri Gouhier's extensive bibliography reflects his diverse philosophical interests and his commitment to historical scholarship.

2.2.1. Works on Descartes

Gouhier conducted in-depth studies on Descartes' religious thought, metaphysics, and methodology. His key publications on Descartes include:

  • La Pensée religieuse de Descartes (1924), which received the Prix Maurice Trubert from the Académie française.
  • Essais sur Descartes (1937, reissued 1973).
  • Les Premières Pensées de Descartes, Contribution à l'histoire de l'Anti-Renaissance (1958).
  • La Pensée métaphysique de Descartes (1961).
  • Descartes, Essais sur le Discours de la Méthode, la Morale et la Métaphysique (1973).
  • Cartésianisme et Augustinisme au XVIIe siècle (1978).
  • L'Anti-Humanisme au XVIIe siècle (1987).

2.2.2. Works on Malebranche

Gouhier's research on Malebranche focused on his religious experience and philosophical system. His key publications include:

  • Malebranche et son expérience religieuse (1926).
  • La Vocation de Nicolas Malebranche (1926).
  • Malebranche, Méditations chrétiennes (1929).
  • Malebranche, Textes et Commentaires (1929).
  • Œuvres de Malebranche, in collaboration with A. Robinet (1959).

2.2.3. Works on Auguste Comte

Gouhier conducted extensive research on the life of Auguste Comte and the formation of Positivism. His major works on Comte include:

  • La Vie d'Auguste Comte (1931).
  • La Jeunesse d'Auguste Comte et la formation du positivisme. Tome 1 : Sous le signe de la liberté (1933).
  • La Jeunesse d'Auguste Comte et la formation du positivisme. Tome 2 : Saint-Simon jusqu'à la Restauration (1936).
  • La Jeunesse d'Auguste Comte et la formation du positivisme. Tome 3 : Auguste Comte et Saint-Simon (1941).
  • Auguste Comte, Œuvres choisies, avec introduction et notes (1943).
  • La Philosophie d'Auguste Comte, esquisses (1987).

2.2.4. Works on Maine de Biran

Gouhier's studies and editorial work on Maine de Biran explored his thought, journals, and religious experiences. His publications include:

  • Maine de Biran, Œuvres choisies, avec introduction et notes (1942).
  • Les Conversions de Maine de Biran (1947).
  • Maine de Biran, journal, édition intégrale (1954).
  • Maine de Biran, De l'existence, Textes inédits (1966).
  • Maine de Biran par lui-même (1970).

2.2.5. Works on Theatre and Criticism

Beyond philosophy, Gouhier explored themes such as the essence of theatre, the role of playwrights, and literary criticism. His related writings include:

  • L'Essence du théâtre (1943).
  • Le Théâtre et l'Existence (1952).
  • L'Œuvre théâtrale (1958).
  • Antonin Artaud et l'essence du théâtre (1974).
  • Le Théâtre et les arts à deux temps (1989).

2.2.6. Other Philosophical Studies

Gouhier's research also encompassed various other French philosophers and thinkers, alongside broader studies in the history of philosophy. These include:

  • La Philosophie et son histoire (1943).
  • L'Histoire et sa philosophie (1952).
  • Les Grandes Avenues de la pensée philosophique en France depuis Descartes (1966).
  • Pascal, les Provinciales, préface : La Tragédie des Provinciales (1966).
  • Pascal, Commentaires (1966).
  • Benjamin Constant, Les Écrivains devant Dieu (1967).
  • Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Lettre à Voltaire, Lettres morales, Lettre à Christophe de Beaumont, archevêque de paris, Lettre à M. de Franquières dans œuvres complètes de Jean-Jacques Rousseau, tome IV (1968).
  • Les Méditations métaphysiques de Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1970).
  • Le Combat de Marie Noël (1971).
  • Renan auteur dramatique (1972).
  • Pascal et les humanistes chrétiens. L'affaire Saint-Ange (1974).
  • Filosofia e Religione in Jean-Jacques Rousseau, translated by Maria Garin (1976).
  • Études d'histoire de la philosophie française (1976).
  • Fénelon philosophe (1977).
  • Études sur l'histoire des idées en France depuis le XVIIe siècle (1980).
  • Rousseau et Voltaire, portraits dans deux miroirs (1983).
  • Blaise Pascal, conversion et apologétique (1986).
  • Bergson dans l'histoire de la pensée occidentale (1989).
  • Benjamin Constant devant la religion (1989).
  • Trois essais sur Étienne Gilson (1992).
  • Notre ami Maurice Barrès (1928).

3. Influence and Recognition

Henri Gouhier's academic influence extended through his mentorship and his prolific writings, earning him significant recognition within the French and international intellectual communities.

3.1. Influence on Students

Gouhier was an influential educator and mentor to many students who went on to become prominent figures in their fields. He supervised the undergraduate dissertation of the famed sociologist Pierre Bourdieu, which was a translation of and commentary on Leibniz's Animadversions. He also taught Michel Foucault and chaired his thesis jury, demonstrating his significant role in shaping the intellectual trajectories of future generations of scholars.

3.2. Academic Impact

Gouhier's writings and thought had a profound ripple effect on later philosophical history research. His work, particularly Le Drame de l'humanisme athée (1944), significantly influenced the Jesuit theologian Henri de Lubac, highlighting Gouhier's contribution to discussions on humanism and religious thought. His comprehensive studies on figures like Descartes, Malebranche, and Comte established foundational scholarship in these areas.

3.3. Awards and Memberships

Henri Gouhier received numerous academic and social honors throughout his career, reflecting his esteemed position in French intellectual life.

  • In 1961, he was elected a member of the Académie des Sciences Morales et Politiques.
  • In 1970, he became an associate member of the Royal Academy of Belgium.
  • In 1979, he was elected to the Académie française, succeeding his former teacher Étienne Gilson.
  • In 1981, he was elected as a foreign member of the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei in Italy.
  • In 1988, he was awarded the prestigious Prix mondial Cino Del Duca.
  • In 1989, he became a corresponding member of the Royal Academy of Moral and Political Sciences of Madrid.
  • He was also recognized with high national honors, including:
    • Commander of the Legion of Honor
    • Grand Officer of the Ordre National du Mérite
    • Commander of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres

4. Later Evaluation

Henri Gouhier's intellectual legacy is evident in his extensive contributions to the history of French philosophy and his influence on subsequent generations of scholars. His meticulous scholarship on figures like Descartes, Malebranche, Comte, and Maine de Biran provided foundational texts for these fields, shaping academic discourse for decades. His role as a mentor to influential thinkers such as Pierre Bourdieu and Michel Foucault underscores his direct impact on the development of philosophy and social sciences in France. The numerous high academic honors and memberships he received, including his election to the Académie française, attest to his widely recognized standing and enduring significance in the intellectual community.