Today, Philosophical Library would like to wish a happy 141st birthday to Albert Schweitzer whose life experience spans music, philosophy, theology and medicine. Born in Germany on January 14, 1875, Albert spent his early years growing up in Gunsbach, a German village where his father, who also taught him to play music, was a local pastor of the Lutheran-Evangelical faith. Despite being the son of a pastor, Schweitzer was surrounded by a community of various beliefs and tolerance. He grew to believe that religion should harmonize faith with purpose.
In high school, he studied the organ and drew the attention of French organist Charles-Marie Widor, who offered to take Albert under his wing and further his musical abilities free of charge. While continuing his passion for studying music, Schweitzer simultaneously studied Protestant theology at the University of Strasbourg in 1893. Five years later, he journeyed to Paris, France where he wrote his PhD dissertation at the Sorbonne on religious philosophy. There, he continued his studies with his mentor Widor. By 1899, Albert had earned a degree in theology and, that same year, had his PhD thesis published. He continued on to become a deacon and was later ordained as a curate. In 1903 he earned a permanent position as Principal of the Theological College of Saint Thomas.
Not only was Albert Schweitzer a success in his own right in the areas of music, philosophy and theology, he strove toward helping others through the practice of medicine. Schweitzer sought to become a medical doctor in 1905, though after showing interest through the French Missionary Society, whom did not agree with his Lutheran theology, he was forced to take a three year course through the University to earn his medical degree. A year after completing his doctoral program in medicine, he journeyed in 1912 to Africa where he worked as a medical doctor through the Paris Missionary Society. He was able to acquire enough money through fund-raising and concerts to support a hospital and, a year later, began to establish the Albert Schweitzer Hospital alongside his wife.
Albert Schweitzer is the author of many well-renowned titles such as The Quest of the Historical Jesus, where historical evidence is used to explore the life of Jesus and the myths that have been preached for centuries. Here, Schweitzer pinpoints societal and political beliefs held during Jesus’ life with the purpose of forming his own hypotheses and refuting past theories from authors who wrote previously on the same subject. Schweitzer’s book continues to hold the caliber against current religious studies. To explore the early works of Albert Schweitzer, one must read The Essence of Faith where the author examines religion and metaphysics through Kant’s theology and Reverence for Life which contains a collection of the author’s views on the human spirit and speaks of how harmonizing ethics and reverence for life will guide society toward what is vital for civilization.
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