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Odo Marquard

オド・マルクァール

Odo Marquard

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1928-02-26 （Stolp (modern Słupsk), Farther Pomerania, Weimar Germany）
Died
2015-05-09 （Celle, Germany） age 87
Nationality
German
Languages
German

Career

Occupations
Philosopher, Professor
Active Years
1954-2015
Affiliations
University of Giessen (Faculty of Philosophy), Berlin Institute for Advanced Study (Fellow), General Society for Philosophy in Germany (President)
Memberships
General Society for Philosophy in Germany
Influenced By
Joachim Ritter, Max Müller (Catholic intellectual), Edmund Husserl, Martin Heidegger

Education

University of Münster
Philosophy, German literature and Theology
Degree: 博士 (PhD)
Country: Germany
Completed doctorate at Münster; studied under Joachim Ritter.
University of Freiburg
Philosophy
Degree: ハビリタツィオン (Habilitation)
Country: Germany
Completed habilitation at Freiburg; influenced by Max Müller.

Awards

Sigmund Freud Prize (for Scientific Prose)
1984
Organization: Deutsche Akademie für Sprache und Dichtung
Result: 受賞
Erwin-Stein-Preis
1992
Result: 受賞
Ernst-Robert-Curtius Prize (for Essayists)
1996
Result: 受賞
Hessian Cultural Prize (for Science)
1997
Result: 受賞
Hessian Order of Merit
1990
Result: 受賞
Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (various classes)
1995
Category: クロース・オブ・メリット 1級 (Cross of Merit 1st Class)
Result: 受賞
Great Cross of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
2008
Result: 受賞
Honorary doctorate (University of Jena)
1994
Organization: University of Jena
Result: 授与

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Schwierigkeiten mit der Geschichtsphilosophie

1973 Philosophy (philosophical essays)

A collection of essays addressing problems in the philosophy of history, critiquing universalist historical views and considering human contingency.

philosophy of historyskepticismcontingency

Farewell to Matters of Principle

1981 Philosophy (philosophical studies)

Develops skepticism toward universal, principled thinking and defends particularism and pluralism. Published in English translation.

particularismpluralismskepticism
Translations
  • Farewell to Matters of Principle (English translation)

In Defense of the Accidental

1986 Philosophy (essays)

Positively examines contingency and philosophically defends uncertainty in human life and history.

contingencyhuman finitudeuncertainty
Translations
  • In Defense of the Accidental (English translation)

Skepsis in der Moderne

2007 Philosophy

Discusses the role of skepticism in modern thought and its contemporary significance.

skepticismmodern thought

Bibliography

  • Schwierigkeiten mit der Geschichtsphilosophie
  • Abschied vom Prinzipiellen
  • Apologie des Zufälligen
  • Skepsis und Zustimmung
  • Glück im Unglück
  • Skepsis in der Moderne

Translations of Works

  • Farewell to Matters of Principle (English translation)
  • In Defense of the Accidental (English translation)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
hermeneuticskeptical, essayistic proseanalytical yet essay-like style
Recurring Motifs
contingencyhuman finitudeplurality and particularismhistory and interpretation

Legacy

Odo Marquard was an important contemporary German philosopher known for advocating particularism and skepticism. His provocative essays on the philosophy of history and political theology stimulated debate; he received numerous honors including the Sigmund Freud Prize (1984).

Academic Societies

  • General Society for Philosophy in Germany (Gesellschaft für Philosophie in Deutschland)

Archives

  • University of Giessen archives (related materials)

In Popular Culture

  • Featured and debated in media such as Der Spiegel

Quotes

  • We need many gods.
    Source: Der Spiegel (interview headline reference, 2003) (2003)

Trivia

  • Received the Sigmund Freud Prize for Scientific Prose in 1984.
  • From the 1970s onwards, prominently argued for the philosophical importance of contingency.