Jose Ortega y Gasset

Date of Birth: May 9, 1883

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Date of Death: October 18, 1955

Biography

José Ortega y Gasset was born in Madrid, Spain, and emerged as one of the most influential Spanish philosophers of the 20th century. He is best known for his works on existentialism, phenomenology, and social theory. Ortega y Gasset studied at the University of Madrid and later at various German universities, where he was influenced by German Idealism and phenomenology. In 1910, he returned to Spain and began his academic career, eventually becoming a professor of metaphysics at the University of Madrid. His seminal work, “The Revolt of the Masses” (1930), critiques the rise of mass society and the decline of individualism and elite culture. This book solidified his reputation as a leading intellectual of his time. Ortega y Gasset was also a prolific essayist and public intellectual, founding the influential journal “Revista de Occidente,” which introduced many European thinkers to Spanish audiences. Throughout his life, Ortega y Gasset was deeply involved in the cultural and political life of Spain. He was a vocal critic of both fascism and communism, advocating instead for a liberal democratic society. His influence extended beyond Spain, impacting thinkers and movements throughout Europe and Latin America. He passed away in 1955, leaving behind a rich legacy of philosophical thought.

5 Interesting Facts about Jose Ortega y Gasset

1. Ortega y Gasset was a key figure in the Spanish intellectual movement known as the “Generation of ’14.”

2. He founded the “Revista de Occidente” in 1923, a journal that became a major platform for European intellectuals.

3. Ortega y Gasset’s philosophy emphasized the concept of “perspectivism,” the idea that all knowledge is limited to the perspective of the knower.

4. He was exiled during the Spanish Civil War and spent time in Argentina and Portugal before returning to Spain in 1945.

5. Ortega y Gasset’s works have been translated into numerous languages and continue to be studied worldwide.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Jose Ortega y Gasset

1. “I am I and my circumstance; and, if I do not save it, I do not save myself.”

2. “Living is a constant process of deciding what we are going to do.”

3. “Tell me to what you pay attention and I will tell you who you are.”

4. “Life is a series of collisions with the future; it is not the sum of what we have been, but what we yearn to be.”

5. “The characteristic note of our time is that civilization is in a state of disintegration.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

There is no accurate record of José Ortega y Gasset’s net worth. As a philosopher and academic, his financial value is not commonly documented.

Children

José Ortega y Gasset had one son, José Ortega Spottorno, who followed in his father’s intellectual footsteps. Ortega Spottorno was a notable journalist and the founder of the Spanish newspaper “El País.”