William Barrett (philosopher)
Encyclopedia
William Christopher Barrett (1913 – 1992) was a professor
of philosophy
at New York University
from 1950 to 1979. Precociously, he began post-secondary studies at the City College of New York
when 15 years old. He received his PhD
at Columbia University
. He was an editor of Partisan Review
and later the literary critic of The Atlantic Monthly
magazine. He was well-known for writing philosophical works for nonexperts. Perhaps the best known among these were Irrational Man: A Study in Existential Philosophy
and The Illusion of Technique , which remain in print.
Like many intellectuals of his generation, Barrett flirted with Marxism
before turning his energies to providing readable introductions to European philosophical schools, notably existentialism
. Irrational Man remains one of the most approachable reviews of existentialism in English.
Barrett was good friends with the poet Delmore Schwartz
for many years. He knew many other literary figures of the day, including Edmund Wilson
, Philip Rahv
, and Albert Camus
. He was deeply influenced by the philosophy of Nietzsche, Kierkegaard, and Heidegger, and was editor of zen buddhist scholar D.T. Suzuki. In fiction his taste ran to the great Russians, particularly Dostoyevsky. He was the father of Susan and Michael Barrett, long time husband of Juliet Bigney Barrett and the grandfather of Madeleine, Natalie, Keegan, Kyra, and Rian. Barrett was also father to Ellen (Nell) Barrett through his second marriage to Margaret Merrick Barrett, and the grandfather of Georgia and Clinton.
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
of philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
at New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
from 1950 to 1979. Precociously, he began post-secondary studies at the City College of New York
City College of New York
The City College of the City University of New York is a senior college of the City University of New York , in New York City. It is also the oldest of the City University's twenty-three institutions of higher learning...
when 15 years old. He received his PhD
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
at Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
. He was an editor of Partisan Review
Partisan Review
Partisan Review was an American political and literary quarterly published from 1934 to 2003, though it suspended publication between October 1936 and December 1937.-Overview:...
and later the literary critic of The Atlantic Monthly
The Atlantic Monthly
The Atlantic is an American magazine founded in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1857. It was created as a literary and cultural commentary magazine. It quickly achieved a national reputation, which it held for more than a century. It was important for recognizing and publishing new writers and poets,...
magazine. He was well-known for writing philosophical works for nonexperts. Perhaps the best known among these were Irrational Man: A Study in Existential Philosophy
Irrational Man: A Study in Existential Philosophy
Irrational Man subtitled "A Study In Existential Philosophy" is an influential book by William Barrett published in 1958 which served to introduce existentialism to the English speaking world...
and The Illusion of Technique , which remain in print.
Like many intellectuals of his generation, Barrett flirted with Marxism
Marxism
Marxism is an economic and sociopolitical worldview and method of socioeconomic inquiry that centers upon a materialist interpretation of history, a dialectical view of social change, and an analysis and critique of the development of capitalism. Marxism was pioneered in the early to mid 19th...
before turning his energies to providing readable introductions to European philosophical schools, notably existentialism
Existentialism
Existentialism is a term applied to a school of 19th- and 20th-century philosophers who, despite profound doctrinal differences, shared the belief that philosophical thinking begins with the human subject—not merely the thinking subject, but the acting, feeling, living human individual...
. Irrational Man remains one of the most approachable reviews of existentialism in English.
Barrett was good friends with the poet Delmore Schwartz
Delmore Schwartz
Delmore Schwartz was an American poet and short story writer from Brooklyn, New York.-Biography:Schwartz was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. His parents, Harry and Rose, both Romanian Jews, separated when Schwartz was nine, and their divorce had a profound effect on him. Later, in 1930,...
for many years. He knew many other literary figures of the day, including Edmund Wilson
Edmund Wilson
Edmund Wilson was an American writer and literary and social critic and noted man of letters.-Early life:Wilson was born in Red Bank, New Jersey. His father, Edmund Wilson, Sr., was a lawyer and served as New Jersey Attorney General. Wilson attended The Hill School, a college preparatory...
, Philip Rahv
Philip Rahv
Philip Rahv was an American literary critic and essayist.-Life:...
, and Albert Camus
Albert Camus
Albert Camus was a French author, journalist, and key philosopher of the 20th century. In 1949, Camus founded the Group for International Liaisons within the Revolutionary Union Movement, which was opposed to some tendencies of the Surrealist movement of André Breton.Camus was awarded the 1957...
. He was deeply influenced by the philosophy of Nietzsche, Kierkegaard, and Heidegger, and was editor of zen buddhist scholar D.T. Suzuki. In fiction his taste ran to the great Russians, particularly Dostoyevsky. He was the father of Susan and Michael Barrett, long time husband of Juliet Bigney Barrett and the grandfather of Madeleine, Natalie, Keegan, Kyra, and Rian. Barrett was also father to Ellen (Nell) Barrett through his second marriage to Margaret Merrick Barrett, and the grandfather of Georgia and Clinton.
Books
- What Is Existentialism? (1947), Partisan Review, 1964 Random House edition: ISBN 0-394-17388-0
- Irrational Man: A Study in Existential PhilosophyIrrational Man: A Study in Existential PhilosophyIrrational Man subtitled "A Study In Existential Philosophy" is an influential book by William Barrett published in 1958 which served to introduce existentialism to the English speaking world...
(1958), Doubleday, Anchor Books paperback (1962): ISBN 978-0-385-03138-7 - Philosophy in the Twentieth Century (1962), four volumes, William Barrett and Henry D. Aiken, editors, Random House
- Time of Need: Forms of Imagination in the Twentieth Century (1972), Harper Bros. ISBN 0-06-131754-3
- The Illusion of Technique: A Search for Meaning in a Technological Civilization (1979), Doubleday, ISBN 978-0-385-11202-4
- The Truants: Adventures Among the Intellectuals (1982), a memoir, Doubleday, ISBN 978-0-385-17328-5
- Death of the Soul: From Descartes to the Computer (1986), Doubleday, ISBN 978-0-385-17327-8
External links
- Biography at Anova.org.