Gaston Bachelard

Date of Birth: June 27, 1884

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Date of Death: October 16, 1962

Biography

Gaston Bachelard was a renowned French philosopher born on June 27, 1884, in Bar-sur-Aube, France. He is best known for his work in the philosophy of science and the philosophy of imagination. Bachelard initially worked as a postmaster before earning his doctorate in philosophy at the Sorbonne in 1927. He later became a professor at the University of Dijon and then the Sorbonne. Bachelard’s work is distinguished by his examination of the scientific mind and its development. He explored how scientific knowledge evolves, arguing that scientific progress often involves radical breaks from past knowledge, a concept he termed “epistemological rupture.” His major works include “The New Scientific Spirit” (1934), “The Psychoanalysis of Fire” (1938), and “The Poetics of Space” (1958). Bachelard’s contributions to the philosophy of imagination are equally significant. He believed that poetic imagery has a fundamental impact on human consciousness, an idea that profoundly influenced literary criticism and existential phenomenology. Gaston Bachelard passed away on October 16, 1962, in Paris, France. His legacy continues to influence various fields, including philosophy, psychology, and literary studies.

5 Interesting Facts about Gaston Bachelard

1. Bachelard started his career as a postmaster before moving into academia.

2. He introduced the concept of “epistemological rupture,” which suggests that scientific progress involves radical breaks from past knowledge.

3. His book “The Poetics of Space” is considered a seminal work in the philosophy of imagination.

4. Bachelard was awarded the Grand Prix National des Lettres in 1961.

5. He was a proponent of the idea that poetic and scientific imagination are complementary rather than contradictory.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Gaston Bachelard

1. “The characteristic of scientific progress is our knowing that we did not know.”

2. “One must always maintain one’s connection to the past and yet ceaselessly pull away from it.”

3. “The subconscious is ceaselessly murmuring, and it is by listening to these murmurs that one hears the truth.”

4. “To live well is to work well, to show a good activity.”

5. “Even a minor event in the life of a child is an event of that child’s world and thus a world event.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

As a philosopher and academic, Gaston Bachelard did not achieve significant financial wealth. His highest net worth was modest and primarily derived from his academic positions and publications.

Children

Gaston Bachelard had one daughter, Suzanne Bachelard, who also became a noted philosopher and academic. She followed in her father’s footsteps, contributing significantly to the field of phenomenology and the philosophy of science.