On Albert Schweitzer’s Reverence for life

Hartong, Lucas | Paperback / softback | 19-05-2023 | 9789464806953

This is a book about Albert Schweitzer’s idea of Reverence for life (Ehrfurcht vor dem Leben). By way of ethics Schweitzer tried to bridge the gap between theology and philosophy (especially the Stoics). The author concludes that his work is still quite relevant for us today, as the gap still exists.

Schweitzer (1875-1965) was a very remarkable person. He held four degrees: in philosophy, theology, musicology and medicine. After a succesful career in Strasbourg he went to Lambarene, Gabon, to run a hospital with dedicated staff.

Schweitzer was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize (1952) and was a contemporary of Albert Einstein. Both men experienced the atrocities of war and were intensely worried about the development of atomic bombs, use of violence and suffering in general. Schweitzer came to the conclusion that by applying the ethical principles of Christ we would be able to live life fully as it is meant to be, without harming other people. Schweitzer also became known as one of the first people ever stressing the need for animal rights.