Jeanne Hersch
Encyclopedia
Jeanne Hersch was a Swiss philosopher of Polish
origin, whose works dealt with the concept of freedom.
She studied under the existentialist Karl Jaspers
in Germany in the early 1930s. In 1956, she was appointed to a professorship at the University of Geneva
, one of the first women to hold such a post at a Swiss university, holding the post until 1977. From 1966 to 1968 she headed the philosophy division of UNESCO
, and was a member of its executive commission from 1970 to 1972.
In 1968 she edited Le droit d'être un homme, une anthologie mondiale de la liberté in French (translated in English in 1969 as Birthright of man: a selection of texts and also in Greek as Το δικαίωμα να είσαι άνθρωπος), an anthology of writings on human rights
, republished in French in 1984 and 1990.
In 1987, she received the Einstein Medal.
Poles
thumb|right|180px|The state flag of [[Poland]] as used by Polish government and diplomatic authoritiesThe Polish people, or Poles , are a nation indigenous to Poland. They are united by the Polish language, which belongs to the historical Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages of Central Europe...
origin, whose works dealt with the concept of freedom.
She studied under the existentialist Karl Jaspers
Karl Jaspers
Karl Theodor Jaspers was a German psychiatrist and philosopher who had a strong influence on modern theology, psychiatry and philosophy. After being trained in and practicing psychiatry, Jaspers turned to philosophical inquiry and attempted to discover an innovative philosophical system...
in Germany in the early 1930s. In 1956, she was appointed to a professorship at the University of Geneva
University of Geneva
The University of Geneva is a public research university located in Geneva, Switzerland.It was founded in 1559 by John Calvin, as a theological seminary and law school. It remained focused on theology until the 17th century, when it became a center for Enlightenment scholarship. In 1873, it...
, one of the first women to hold such a post at a Swiss university, holding the post until 1977. From 1966 to 1968 she headed the philosophy division of UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
, and was a member of its executive commission from 1970 to 1972.
In 1968 she edited Le droit d'être un homme, une anthologie mondiale de la liberté in French (translated in English in 1969 as Birthright of man: a selection of texts and also in Greek as Το δικαίωμα να είσαι άνθρωπος), an anthology of writings on human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
, republished in French in 1984 and 1990.
In 1987, she received the Einstein Medal.