Jacques Ellul

Date of Birth: January 6, 1912

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Date of Death: May 19, 1994

Biography

Jacques Ellul was a prominent French philosopher, sociologist, theologian, and lay theologian, best known for his critical writings on technology and its impact on society. Born in Bordeaux, France, he developed a keen interest in the intersection of technology, politics, and religion. His most influential works include “The Technological Society” and “Propaganda: The Formation of Men’s Attitudes,” where he argued that technology and propaganda have profound and often detrimental effects on human freedom and authenticity. Ellul was a professor at the University of Bordeaux for several decades, where he taught history and sociology. He was also deeply involved in the French Resistance during World War II and held strong Christian anarchist beliefs, integrating his faith into his critique of modern society.

5 Interesting Facts about Jacques Ellul

1. Jacques Ellul was a member of the French Resistance during World War II, where he helped Jewish families escape Nazi persecution.

2. He authored more than 50 books and over a thousand articles throughout his lifetime.

3. Ellul was a devout Christian and identified as a Christian anarchist, believing that true Christianity is incompatible with worldly power structures.

4. He was awarded the Légion d’honneur, France’s highest civilian honor, for his contributions to intellectual thought and the humanities.

5. Despite his critical stance on technology, Ellul did not advocate for its complete rejection but rather for a more conscious and ethical engagement with it.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Jacques Ellul

1. “The goal of modern propaganda is no longer to transform opinion but to arouse an active and mythical belief.”

2. “Think globally, act locally.”

3. “Technology has become autonomous; it has become a self-determining force.”

4. “Propaganda ceases where simple dialogue begins.”

5. “The first great fact which emerges from our civilization is that today everything has become ‘means.’ There is no longer an ‘end’; we do not know whither we are going. We have forgotten our collective ends, and we possess great means: we set huge machines in motion in order to arrive nowhere.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Jacques Ellul’s primary focus was intellectual work rather than financial gain, and as such, he did not achieve significant wealth. His net worth is not well-documented, but he lived modestly as a professor and writer.

Children

Jacques Ellul had four children. His family life was a significant part of his personal world, though he kept them largely out of the public eye to protect their privacy.