The pseudonym Mynona, chosen by Salomo Friedlaender, was formed by spelling the German word for anonymous backward. Active as a philosopher, poet, and satirist, Friedlaender operated within the expressionist circles of Berlin, authoring a vast collection of grotesque fiction and rigorous philosophical inquiries that grappled with the implications of Kantian dualism in an era of rapid transition.
Academic Foundation
Born in 1871 in Gołańcz, Friedlaender pursued a diverse academic path that included medicine, philosophy, German literature, archaeology, and art history. He completed his studies across Munich, Berlin, and Jena, graduating from a Gymnasium in Freiburg im Breisgau in 1894. His early scholarship focused heavily on the works of Arthur Schopenhauer and Immanuel Kant, influenced significantly by his teacher, the neo-Kantian Ernst Marcus.
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In 1906, Friedlaender relocated to Berlin, where he emerged as a fixture of the local expressionist scene. Working alongside figures such as Herwarth Walden, Else Lasker-Schueler, and Samuel Lublinski, he contributed to periodicals like Der Sturm and Die Aktion. Under his pseudonym, he published numerous grotesque novels and sonnets, including Hundert Bonbons and The Creator, which featured illustrations by Alfred Kubin.
Philosophical Framework
His primary philosophical contribution, Die schöpferische Indifferenz (1918), utilized Kantian concepts to critique traditional dualism. Friedlaender sought to move beyond the classical subject-object divide toward an absolute, purified self. His later works, such as Kant für Kinder and Kant gegen Einstein, continued to apply this analytical framework to scientific and educational questions before he fled Germany for Paris in 1933.
Final Years
Living in Paris until his death in 1946, Friedlaender maintained his commitment to literary and philosophical output. During this period, he wrote on the necessity of confronting political brutality through laughter. Despite his prolific output, limited portions of his work have reached English-speaking audiences, though recent translations of The Creator and other tales have begun to reintroduce his style to modern readers.
Fast facts
- Born: 1871, Gołańcz
- Died: 1946, Paris
- Pseudonym: Mynona
- Primary philosophical influence: Immanuel Kant
- Academic fields: Philosophy, medicine, art history
- Notable publication: Die schöpferische Indifferenz (1918)
Questions readers ask
Why did he use the name Mynona?
He chose the name Mynona as a reversal of the German word 'anonym', meaning anonymous.
What is his most significant philosophical work?
Die schöpferische Indifferenz, published in 1918, is considered his most significant contribution to philosophy.
Achievements
- Fields: philosophy, literary activity and poetry
