Walter Kaufmann

Walter Arnold Kaufmann (July 1, 1921 - September 4, 1980) was a 20th-century German philosopher, scholar, and poet. He produced much original philosophy, most of which was on subjects related to what would now be called authenticity. He also wrote on, among other things, atheism. His translations of Nietzsche and his anthology of existentialist works, such as Existentialism from Dostoevsky to Sartre, are also celebrated works of his.

Related Topics:
July 1 - 1921 - September 4 - 1980 - German - Philosopher - Scholar - Poet - Philosophy - Authenticity - Atheism - Nietzsche - Anthology - Existentialist

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Kaufmann believed that critical analysis and acquiring knowledge was a liberating and empowering force.

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He had a full life, converting from Christianity to Judaism at the age of twelve. The rise of Nazism did not influence, nor deter his conversion. Kaufmann discovered later that all his grandparents were Jewish. He, in a 1959 Harper's Magazine article, personally denounced Judaism, making it clear that he was atheistic, that is, according to him, a "heretic", by summarily rejecting all religious values and practices.

Related Topics:
Christianity - Judaism - Nazism

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He emigrated to America in 1939, and attended Williams College, where he majored in Philosophy, and took many religion classes. He then spent 15 months in military service abroad during World War II. Returning to America, Kaufmann earned his PhD in the philosophy of religion from Harvard in April 1947, with a dissertation on "Nietzsche's Theory of Values." Before the end of the month, he was appointed a professor of philosophy at Princeton, where he remained until his death in 1980. In 1960, he became a naturalized citizen of the United States.

Related Topics:
1939 - Williams College - World War II - Philosophy of religion - Harvard - Princeton - 1960 - Naturalized citizen

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Among his students were several important Nietzsche scholars: Richard Schacht, Alexander Nehamas and Ivan Soll.

Related Topics:
Richard Schacht - Alexander Nehamas - Ivan Soll

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