Paul Elmer More

Paul Elmer More was an American philosopher, literary critic, and classics scholar, known for his contributions to the New Humanism movement, which emphasized the importance of classical education and the study of Western civilization. More's work was influenced by Plato, Aristotle, and other ancient Greek philosophers, as well as Christianity and the Bible. He was a prominent figure in American intellectual life, interacting with notable thinkers such as Irving Babbitt, George Santayana, and T.S. Eliot. More's ideas were also shaped by his interactions with Harvard University, where he studied and later taught, and Princeton University, where he spent the latter part of his career.

● Early Life and Education

Paul Elmer More was born in Saint Louis, Missouri, to a family of Presbyterian ministers, and grew up in a household that valued education and literature. He attended Washington University in St. Louis and later Harvard University, where he studied classics and philosophy under the guidance of professors such as William James and George Herbert Palmer. More's education was also influenced by his readings of Immanuel Kant, Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, and other European philosophers. After completing his studies, More traveled to Europe, visiting cities such as London, Paris, and Rome, and engaging with the works of Shakespeare, Milton, and other English literature figures.

● Career

More began his career as a teacher and writer, publishing articles and reviews in journals such as The Nation and The Atlantic Monthly. He also taught at Harvard University and later at Princeton University, where he became a prominent figure in the English department. More's academic career was marked by his interactions with other notable scholars, including John Dewey, Thorstein Veblen, and Ernest Hemingway. He was also a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Philosophical Society, and participated in the Modern Language Association and the Classical Association of the Middle West and South.

● Literary Criticism and Philosophy

More's literary criticism and philosophy were characterized by his emphasis on the importance of classical education and the study of Western civilization. He was critical of modernism and the Romantic movement, which he saw as undermining the values of tradition and authority. More's ideas were influenced by Aristotle's concept of telos and Plato's theory of forms, as well as the Christian theology of St. Augustine and Thomas Aquinas. He also engaged with the works of Friedrich Nietzsche, Søren Kierkegaard, and other existentialist philosophers. More's literary criticism focused on authors such as Shakespeare, Milton, and Dante Alighieri, and he was particularly interested in the epic poetry of Homer and Virgil.

● The New Humanism

More was a leading figure in the New Humanism movement, which emerged in the early 20th century as a response to the perceived excesses of modernism and the Romantic movement. The movement emphasized the importance of classical education and the study of Western civilization, and sought to promote a more nuanced understanding of human nature and morality. Other notable figures associated with the New Humanism included Irving Babbitt, George Santayana, and T.S. Eliot. The movement was influenced by the ideas of Matthew Arnold, John Ruskin, and other Victorian era thinkers, and was characterized by its emphasis on the importance of tradition and authority.

● Major Works

More's major works include The Shelburne Essays and The Greek Tradition, which showcase his literary criticism and philosophical ideas. He also published numerous articles and reviews in journals such as The Nation and The Atlantic Monthly, and was a frequent contributor to The New Republic and The American Review. More's work was widely read and respected by his contemporaries, and he was praised by figures such as T.S. Eliot and Ezra Pound for his insights into literary criticism and philosophy. His ideas continue to be studied by scholars of American literature and philosophy, and his influence can be seen in the work of later thinkers such as Allan Bloom and Harvey Mansfield.

● Legacy

More's legacy is complex and multifaceted, reflecting his contributions to literary criticism, philosophy, and classics. He is remembered as a leading figure in the New Humanism movement, and his ideas continue to influence scholars and thinkers today. More's emphasis on the importance of classical education and the study of Western civilization has had a lasting impact on American education, and his literary criticism remains widely read and respected. His interactions with other notable thinkers, including Irving Babbitt, George Santayana, and T.S. Eliot, have also had a lasting impact on American intellectual life. More's work continues to be studied by scholars of Harvard University, Princeton University, and other institutions, and his ideas remain relevant to contemporary debates about education, culture, and values. Category:American philosophers