Abstract of the Commemorative lecture
Critique and Conviction
My interest for philosophy dates from the age of seventeen, when I received my first philosophy lessons and advice on intellectual courage that have stayed with me throughout my life. I then met and regularly saw the philosopher Gabriel Marcel. Decisive reading during captivity formed long term convictions that served as a basis for my first contributions to philosophy. I was in my turn teacher and a happy one in France and the USA.
My lecture will cover my career in general and the development of my thought from my first important study (Le volontaire et l'involontaire) to my most recent work.
I will illustrate my reflections with two examples of practical wisdom so as not to separate speculative wisdom from the practical wisdom used by the flesh and blood wise man. I will use two examples, one in the field of medicine and the other in legal sentencing. Beyond reflection lies personal commitment. This is why I will finish with my reflections - my advice at the end of a long life - on a situation where the problem of man's relationship with suffering is posed. In this phase where the sick man is approaching death where care aims to no longer heal but the accompany, we should think about the difficult questions of therapeutic life - prolonging medical treatment and euthanasia.
