Alain

(1868-1951) (Émile-Auguste Chartier)

   philosopher and essayist

   A student of jules lagneau, Émile-Auguste Chartier, or Alain, as he is known, was born in Mortagne-au-Perche, Orne. He taught philosophy in the provinces and in paris, his ideas appearing in his Propos (1908-19), the Dépêche de Rouen, and the Nouvelle Revue française. Alain wanted to reintroduce ethics into philosophy, that is, reflect on our conduct so as to use our wisdom, passion, and senses, and guide our imagination and heart by the spiritual. He believed that liberal-democratic radicalism would save humankind from all tyrannies. His spiritualism was anti-intellectual but optimistic. Following the example of Socrates, Alain wished to be a master of thought and an educator, and in this regard he viewed existence through a quasi-phenomenological approach. His principal works include Système des beaux-arts, 1920; Mars, ou la guerre jugée, 1921; Éléments d'une doctrine radicale, 1925; Souvenirs concernant Jules Lagneau, 1925; Les idées et les âges, 1927; Propos sur le bonheur, 1928; Idées, 1932; Vigiles de l'esprit, 1942; Les Dieux, 1947.