Albert Schweitzer: biography, books, quotes

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:40

Outstanding humanist, philosopher, physician Albert Schweitzer showed an example of service to humanity throughout his life. He was a versatile personality, engaged in music, science, theology. His biography is full of interesting facts, and quotes from Schweitzer's books are instructive and aphoristic.

Early years and family

Albert Schweitzer was born into a religious family on January 14, 1875. His father was a pastor, his mother was a pastor's daughter. From early childhood, Albert went to services in a Lutheran church and all his life he loved the simplicity of the rites of this branch of Christianity. There were four children in the family, Albert was the second child and the eldest son. He spent his childhood in the small town of Gunsbach. According to his recollections, it was a very happy time. At the age of 6 he was sent to school, and it cannot be said that it was a pleasure for him. At school, he studied mediocre, he achieved the greatest success in music. There were many conversations in the family on religious topics, the father told the children the history of Christianity, every Sunday Albert went to his father's services. At an early age, he had manyquestions about the essence of religion.

Albert's family had not only deep religious, but also musical traditions. His grandfather was not only a pastor, but also played the organ, he designed these musical instruments. Schweitzer was a close relative of the later famous philosopher J.-P. Sartre.

Education

Albert changed several schools until he got to Mühlhausen in the gymnasium, where he met "his" teacher, he was able to inspire the boy to serious studies. And in a few months, Schweitzer became the first of the last students. All the years of his studies at the gymnasium, he continued to systematically study music under the supervision of his aunt, with whom he lived. He also began to read a lot, this passion remained with him for the rest of his life.

In 1893, after graduating from high school, Schweitzer enters the University of Strasbourg, which was in its heyday. Many young scientists worked here, promising research was carried out. Albert enters two faculties at once: theological and philosophical, and also attends a course in music theory. Schweitzer could not pay for education, he needed a scholarship. In order to reduce the period of study, he volunteered for the army, this made it possible to obtain a degree in a shorter time.

In 1898, Albert graduated from the university, he passed his exams so brilliantly that he received a special scholarship for a period of 6 years. For this, he is obliged to defend a dissertation or will have to return the money. He passionately begins to study the philosophy of Kant at the Sorbonne University in Paris anda year later he receives a doctorate degree, having written a brilliant work. The following year, he defends his thesis in philosophy, and a little later he receives the title of licentiate in theology.

The path in three directions

After receiving a degree, Schweitzer opens up brilliant opportunities in science and teaching. But Albert makes an unexpected decision. He becomes a pastor. In 1901, Schweitzer's first books on theology were published: a book about the life of Jesus, a work on the Last Supper.

In 1903, Albert received a position as professor of theology at St. Thomas, a year later he becomes the director of this educational institution. At the same time, Schweitzer continues to engage in scientific research and becomes a major researcher of J. Bach's work. But Albert, with such fantastic employment, continued to think that he had not fulfilled his destiny. At the age of 21, he made a vow to himself that until the age of 30 he would be engaged in theology, music, science, and then he would begin to serve humanity. He believed that everything he had received in life needed to be returned to the world.

Medicine

In 1905, Albert read an article in the newspaper about the catastrophic shortage of doctors in Africa, and immediately made the most important decision of his life. He leaves his job at the college and enters the medical college of the University of Strasbourg. To pay for his education, he actively gives organ concerts. So Albert Schweitzer, whose biography is changing dramatically, begins his "service to humanity." In 1911 he graduated from college and rushed to his newway.

Life for others

In 1913, Albert Schweitzer leaves for Africa to organize a hospital. He had minimal funds to create a mission, which was provided by the missionary organization. Schweitzer had to go into debt in order to purchase at least the minimum set of necessary equipment. The need for medical care in Lambarin was huge, in the first year alone, Albert received 2,000 patients.

In 1917, during World War I, Schweitzer was sent as a German subject to French camps. And after the end of the war, he was forced to stay in Europe for another 7 years. He worked at the Strasbourg hospital, paid off mission debts, and raised money to reopen Africa by giving organ concerts.

In 1924, he was able to return to Lambarene, where he found ruins instead of a hospital. I had to start all over. Gradually, through the efforts of Schweitzer, the hospital complex turned into a whole settlement of 70 buildings. Albert tried to win the trust of the natives, so the hospital complex was built according to the principles of local settlements. Schweitzer had to alternate periods of work in the hospital with European periods, during which he gave lectures, gave concerts and collected money.

In 1959, he settled permanently in Lambarene, where pilgrims and volunteers reached out to him. Schweitzer lived a long life and died at the age of 90 in Africa. His life's work, the hospital, passed to his daughter.

Philosophical views

During the First World Warwar and Schweitzer begins to think about the ethical foundations of life. Gradually, over the course of several years, he formulates his own philosophical concept. Ethics is built on the highest expediency and justice, it is the core of the universe, says Albert Schweitzer. "Culture and Ethics" is a work in which the philosopher sets out his basic ideas about the world order. He believes that the world is driven by ethical progress, that humanity needs to reject decadent ideas and "resurrect" the true human "I", the only way to overcome the crisis in which modern civilization is. Schweitzer, being a deeply religious person, did not condemn anyone, but only felt sorry and tried to help.

Books by A. Schweitzer

Albert Schweitzer wrote many books in his life. Among them are works on music theory, philosophy, ethics, anthropology. He devoted many works to the description of the ideal of human life. He saw it in the rejection of wars and building a society on the ethical principles of human interaction.

The main principle that Albert Schweitzer declared: "Reverence for life." The postulate was first stated in the book "Culture and Ethics", and subsequently deciphered more than once in other works. It consists in the fact that a person should strive for self-improvement and self-denial, as well as experience "anxiety of constant responsibility." The philosopher himself became the clearest example of life in accordance with this principle. In total, during his life, Schweitzer wrote more than 30 essays and many articles and lectures. Now many of his well-known works such as:

• "Philosophy of Culture" in 2 parts;
• "Christianity and World Religions";
• "Religion in modern culture"
• "The problem of peace in the modern world".

Awards

The humanist Albert Schweitzer, whose books are still considered a model of the "ethics of the future", has repeatedly received various awards and prizes, which he always spent for the benefit of his hospital and African residents. But his most important award was the Nobel Peace Prize, which he received in 1953. She allowed him to leave the search for money and focus on helping the sick in Africa. For the prize, he rebuilt a leper colony in Gabon and treated the sick for many years. In his speech at the Nobel Prize, Schweitzer urged people to stop fighting, give up nuclear weapons and focus on finding the Human in themselves.

Sayings and quotes

Albert Schweitzer, whose quotes and statements are a real ethical program, thought a lot about the purpose of man and how to make the world a better place. He said, "My knowledge is pessimistic, but my faith is optimistic." This helped him to be realistic. He believed that "Lead by example is the only method of persuasion" and through his life convinced people of the need to be compassionate and responsible.

Private life

Albert Schweitzer was happily married. He met his wife in 1903. She became a faithful companion of her husband in his service to people. Elena graduated from nursing courses and worked withSchweitzer in the hospital. The couple had a daughter, Rena, who continued the work of her parents.