Martin Buber published his seminal essay on existence, Ich und Du, in 1923, introducing a philosophical framework that distinguished the I–Thou relationship from the I–It. This work, later translated into English as I and Thou, solidified his standing in metaphysics and existentialism, influencing diverse fields ranging from social psychology to theology.
Academic Foundation and Early Influences
Born in Vienna in 1878, Buber belonged to a family of observant Jews. His education spanned several institutions, including the University of Vienna, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Leipzig University, and the University of Zurich, where he earned a Doctor of Philosophy. During his formative years, his reading of Immanuel Kant, Søren Kierkegaard, and Friedrich Nietzsche prompted a departure from traditional Jewish customs toward a secular pursuit of philosophical inquiry.
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Buber engaged with the Zionist movement in 1898, participating in congresses and later serving as the editor of the weekly publication Die Welt from 1901 to 1902. His views often diverged from Theodor Herzl; Buber emphasized the potential for social and spiritual enrichment over political objectives. Beyond his political activism, he worked as a translator, notably beginning a translation of the Hebrew Bible into German in 1925, and as a literary editor and librettist.
Relocation and Later Professorship
In 1930, Buber accepted an honorary professorship at Goethe University Frankfurt. He resigned this position in 1933 following the rise of Adolf Hitler. Subsequently, he established the Central Office for Jewish Adult Education. By 1938, he moved to Jerusalem, where he joined the faculty of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, lecturing on anthropology and sociology. His residence in Abu Tor ended in 1947 due to regional conflict, and he remained in Jerusalem until his death in 1965.
Awards and Professional Recognition
Throughout his career, Buber received numerous honors, including the Peace Prize of the German Publishers' and Booksellers' Association in 1953 and the Israel Prize in 1958. He held honorary doctorates from several institutions, such as the University of Münster, Heidelberg University, and the University of Paris. His professional affiliations included the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Fast facts
- Born: 1878, Vienna
- Died: 1965, Jerusalem
- Key Work: I and Thou
- Academic Degree: Doctor of Philosophy
- Citizenship: Austria, Germany, Israel
- Notable Prize: Israel Prize (1958)
- Languages: German, Polish, Yiddish, Hebrew
- Burial Site: Har HaMenuchot
Questions readers ask
What is the core of Buber's philosophy?
His philosophy of dialogue centers on the distinction between the I–Thou relationship, which involves an encounter with another as a subject, and the I–It relationship, where the other is treated as an object.
Did Buber support a binational state in Palestine?
Yes, Buber was a staunch proponent of a binational solution in Palestine and later advocated for a regional federation between Israel and Arab states.
Achievements
- Israel Prize — 1958
- Bialik Prize — 1961
- Erasmus Prize — 1963
- Peace Prize of the German Publishers' and Booksellers' Association — 1953
- Notable work: I and Thou
- Notable work: A Land of Two Peoples
- Held posts at Goethe University Frankfurt, Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Die Welt
- Fields: ontology, Judaism and philosophy
