A doctoral degree focusing on the work of French metaphysician Louis Lavelle marked the academic threshold of Bernard Delfgaauw in 1947. Operating from the Netherlands throughout the twentieth century, he established himself as a university teacher and philosopher whose writings spanned diverse subjects ranging from Thomism to the complex dynamics of social relations and the philosophy of grammar.
Academic Foundation and Career
Born in Amsterdam in 1912, Bernardus Maria Ignatius Delfgaauw received his early education at the Ignatius Gymnasium before enrolling at the University of Amsterdam. His formal training encompassed both Dutch language studies and Thomistic philosophy. His career path led him to instruct students at the University of Amsterdam starting in 1947, a position he maintained until 1961. That year, he accepted a professorship in philosophy at the University of Groningen, where he continued his academic work.
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Delfgaauw maintained a prolific output as a writer throughout his life. His research interests were wide-ranging, covering existentialism, the nature of evolution, mysticism, and the thought of Thomas Aquinas. He is also noted for his contributions to the philosophy of grammar and the study of social structures. Beyond his technical philosophical work, he authored a concise history of philosophy that achieved commercial success, remaining in continuous print and undergoing translation into multiple languages.
Political Commentary
In 1967, during a public symposium, Delfgaauw challenged the prevailing legal restrictions in the Netherlands regarding political speech. He applied criteria previously established during the trials at Nuremberg and Tokyo to evaluate the conduct of contemporary international leadership, identifying specific individuals as war criminals. This assertion triggered a notable reaction among contemporary student protesters, who altered their protest slogans in response to the legal atmosphere of the time.
Legacy and Bibliography
Delfgaauw concluded his life in Haren in 1993. His contributions to the field include specific publications such as his 1961 work on Teilhard de Chardin and his 1967 contribution to a collaborative volume titled Evolutie en de filosofie, de biologie, de kosmos. In 1982, he collaborated with Reinout Bakker and Huib Hubbeling on the book titled De filosofie van Bernard Delfgaauw.
Fast facts
- Born: 1912, Amsterdam
- Died: 1993, Haren
- Citizenship: Kingdom of the Netherlands
- Primary Field: Philosophy
- Academic Posts: University of Amsterdam and University of Groningen
- Notable Education: Ignatius Gymnasium and University of Amsterdam
Questions readers ask
What subjects did Bernard Delfgaauw research?
His work covered existentialism, Thomistic philosophy, evolution, mysticism, grammar, and social relations.
Where did Delfgaauw teach during his career?
He taught at the University of Amsterdam from 1947 to 1961 and subsequently held a professorship at the University of Groningen.
Achievements
- Held posts at University of Groningen and University of Amsterdam
- Fields: philosophy