Gabriel marcel biography summary of 10

Gabriel Marcel — was a philosopher, drama critic, playwright and musician. In addition to his numerous philosophical publications, he was the author of some thirty dramatic works. Marcel was born in His mother died when he was only four, and Marcel was raised by his father and aunt, who later married. He excelled in school, but did so without enjoying his studies prior to his encounter with philosophy.

Gabriel marcel contribution to philosophy

These informal meetings were an occasion for engaged thinkers from a variety of perspectives to discuss together various philosophical themes, frequently ones Marcel himself was working on that week. Of these various genres, Marcel was perhaps most pleased with his dramatic works. In fact, reading between the lines of his autobiographical remarks, one can discern some puzzlement and no small amount of frustration at the success of his philosophical works and the relative obscurity of his dramatic works.

He insisted that philosophy begin with concrete experience rather than abstractions. To this end he makes constant use of examples in order to ground the philosophical ideas he is investigating. In addition, Marcel expressed a refreshing preference for philosophizing in ordinary language.