Reverence for Life
Encyclopedia
The phrase Reverence for Life is a translation of the German
phrase: "" (more accurately translated as: "to be in awe of the mystery of life"). These words came to Albert Schweitzer
on a boat trip on the river Oguwe in Equatorial Africa
, while searching for a universal concept of ethics
for our time.
Schweitzer made the phrase the basic tenet of an ethical philosophy
, which he developed and put into practice. He gave expression to its development in numerous books and publications during his life and also in manuscripts which have recently been published; the main work being his unfinished four-part "Philosophy of Culture" subtitled: "The World-view of Reverence for Life". He also used his hospital
in Lambaréné
in Gabon
(Central Africa) to demonstrate this philosophy in practice.
He believed that Reverence for Life is a concept that develops from observation of the world around us. In 'Civilization and Ethics' he expressed this in these words:
James Brabazon (Author of the Biography of Albert Schweitzer
) defined Reverence for Life with the following statement:
Albert Schweitzer
hoped that the ethic of Reverence for Life would make its way in the world on the basis of his explanation of it in his books and talks, the example of his life and the force of its own argument based on the depth of fundamental thought. To some extent this is taking place as is evidenced by the growth of the environmental movement. (The book Silent Spring
, by Rachael Carson, which is widely credited with helping launch the environmental movement was dedicated to Albert Schweitzer
). Reverence for Life can also be seen in the explosion of ethical, charitable organizations of all kinds in many parts of the world.
had to have their foundation in deep thought and be world, and life, affirming. He therefore embarked on a search for ethical values in the various major religions and world-views accessible to him, but could not find any that were able, unequivocally, to combine ethics with life-affirmation. It was not until two years after moving out to Gabon
to establish the Albert Schweitzer Hospital
that he finally found the simple statement which answered his quest.
In his autobiography "Out of My Life and Thought" he explains this process.
Having described how at the beginning of the summer of 1915 he awoke from some kind of mental daze, asking himself why he was only criticizing civilization and not working on something constructive, he asked himself the question:
According some authors, Schweitzer's thought, and specifically his development for reverence for life, was influenced by Indian religious thought and in particular Jain principle of ahimsa
(non-violence) Albert Schweitzer has noted the contribution of Indian influence in his book Indian Thought and Its Development:
He therefore pointed back to that elemental part of ourselves that can be in touch with our ‘will’ and can exercise it for the good of all.
In “Out of My Life and Thought” Schweitzer wrote:
In his search for an answer to the problems posed by what was to him the obvious decline of western civilization, Albert Schweitzer
was not prepared to give up the belief in progress which is so much taken for granted by people of European descent. Rather, he sought to identify why this ‘will to progress’ was seemingly going off the rails and causing the disintegration of European civilization.
He came to the following conclusion: ("Out of my Life and Thought")
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
phrase: "" (more accurately translated as: "to be in awe of the mystery of life"). These words came to Albert Schweitzer
Albert Schweitzer
Albert Schweitzer OM was a German theologian, organist, philosopher, physician, and medical missionary. He was born in Kaysersberg in the province of Alsace-Lorraine, at that time part of the German Empire...
on a boat trip on the river Oguwe in Equatorial Africa
Equatorial Africa
Equatorial Africa is an ambiguous term that is sometimes used to refer to tropical Africa, or the region of Sub-Saharan Africa traversed by the equator....
, while searching for a universal concept of ethics
Ethics
Ethics, also known as moral philosophy, is a branch of philosophy that addresses questions about morality—that is, concepts such as good and evil, right and wrong, virtue and vice, justice and crime, etc.Major branches of ethics include:...
for our time.
Schweitzer made the phrase the basic tenet of an ethical philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
, which he developed and put into practice. He gave expression to its development in numerous books and publications during his life and also in manuscripts which have recently been published; the main work being his unfinished four-part "Philosophy of Culture" subtitled: "The World-view of Reverence for Life". He also used his hospital
Albert Schweitzer Hospital
The Medical Research Unit of the Albert Schweitzer Hospital was established in Lambaréné, Gabon, to study major causes of disease burden in the local population...
in Lambaréné
Lambaréné
Lambaréné is the capital of the political district Moyen-Ogooué in Gabon. The city counts 24,000 inhabitants and is located 75 kilometres south of the equator....
in Gabon
Gabon
Gabon , officially the Gabonese Republic is a state in west central Africa sharing borders with Equatorial Guinea to the northwest, Cameroon to the north, and with the Republic of the Congo curving around the east and south. The Gulf of Guinea, an arm of the Atlantic Ocean is to the west...
(Central Africa) to demonstrate this philosophy in practice.
He believed that Reverence for Life is a concept that develops from observation of the world around us. In 'Civilization and Ethics' he expressed this in these words:
James Brabazon (Author of the Biography of Albert Schweitzer
Albert Schweitzer
Albert Schweitzer OM was a German theologian, organist, philosopher, physician, and medical missionary. He was born in Kaysersberg in the province of Alsace-Lorraine, at that time part of the German Empire...
) defined Reverence for Life with the following statement:
Albert Schweitzer
Albert Schweitzer
Albert Schweitzer OM was a German theologian, organist, philosopher, physician, and medical missionary. He was born in Kaysersberg in the province of Alsace-Lorraine, at that time part of the German Empire...
hoped that the ethic of Reverence for Life would make its way in the world on the basis of his explanation of it in his books and talks, the example of his life and the force of its own argument based on the depth of fundamental thought. To some extent this is taking place as is evidenced by the growth of the environmental movement. (The book Silent Spring
Silent Spring
Silent Spring is a book written by Rachel Carson and published by Houghton Mifflin on 27 September 1962. The book is widely credited with helping launch the environmental movement....
, by Rachael Carson, which is widely credited with helping launch the environmental movement was dedicated to Albert Schweitzer
Albert Schweitzer
Albert Schweitzer OM was a German theologian, organist, philosopher, physician, and medical missionary. He was born in Kaysersberg in the province of Alsace-Lorraine, at that time part of the German Empire...
). Reverence for Life can also be seen in the explosion of ethical, charitable organizations of all kinds in many parts of the world.
The origins of Albert Schweitzer’s Reverence for Life
Schweitzer believed that ethical values which could underpin the ideal of true civilizationCivilization
Civilization is a sometimes controversial term that has been used in several related ways. Primarily, the term has been used to refer to the material and instrumental side of human cultures that are complex in terms of technology, science, and division of labor. Such civilizations are generally...
had to have their foundation in deep thought and be world, and life, affirming. He therefore embarked on a search for ethical values in the various major religions and world-views accessible to him, but could not find any that were able, unequivocally, to combine ethics with life-affirmation. It was not until two years after moving out to Gabon
Gabon
Gabon , officially the Gabonese Republic is a state in west central Africa sharing borders with Equatorial Guinea to the northwest, Cameroon to the north, and with the Republic of the Congo curving around the east and south. The Gulf of Guinea, an arm of the Atlantic Ocean is to the west...
to establish the Albert Schweitzer Hospital
Hospital
A hospital is a health care institution providing patient treatment by specialized staff and equipment. Hospitals often, but not always, provide for inpatient care or longer-term patient stays....
that he finally found the simple statement which answered his quest.
In his autobiography "Out of My Life and Thought" he explains this process.
Having described how at the beginning of the summer of 1915 he awoke from some kind of mental daze, asking himself why he was only criticizing civilization and not working on something constructive, he asked himself the question:
According some authors, Schweitzer's thought, and specifically his development for reverence for life, was influenced by Indian religious thought and in particular Jain principle of ahimsa
Ahimsa in Jainism
Ahiṃsā in Jainism is a fundamental principle forming the cornerstone of its ethics and doctrine. The term "ahimsa" means “non-violence”, “non-injury” or absence of desire to harm any life forms. Vegetarianism and other non-violent practices and rituals of Jains flow from the principle of Ahiṃsā...
(non-violence) Albert Schweitzer has noted the contribution of Indian influence in his book Indian Thought and Its Development:
The Will to Live
The word ‘will’ in the sense of determination or firmness of purpose, is rarely used today and therefore Schweitzer’s use of the word as translated from the German word ‘Wille’ may appear unfamiliar. However, it is a significant part of Schweitzer’s message. He held the view in the 1920s that people had largely lost touch with their own will, having subjugated it to outside authority and sacrificed it to external circumstances.He therefore pointed back to that elemental part of ourselves that can be in touch with our ‘will’ and can exercise it for the good of all.
In “Out of My Life and Thought” Schweitzer wrote:
In his search for an answer to the problems posed by what was to him the obvious decline of western civilization, Albert Schweitzer
Albert Schweitzer
Albert Schweitzer OM was a German theologian, organist, philosopher, physician, and medical missionary. He was born in Kaysersberg in the province of Alsace-Lorraine, at that time part of the German Empire...
was not prepared to give up the belief in progress which is so much taken for granted by people of European descent. Rather, he sought to identify why this ‘will to progress’ was seemingly going off the rails and causing the disintegration of European civilization.
He came to the following conclusion: ("Out of my Life and Thought")
Charities that promote Reverence for Life
There are a number of organizations and charities that promote Reverence for Life:- Reverence for Life(UK) and Friends of Albert Schweitzer(UK)
- Dr. Schweitzer's Hospital Fund
- International Albert Schweitzer Association (AISL
- The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship
- Albert Schweitzer House, Guensbach
- Albert Schweitzer Institute, Chapman University
- Albert Schweitzer Institute, Quinnipiac University