Luc Ferry
Encyclopedia
Luc Ferry is a French
philosopher
and a notable proponent of Secular Humanism
. He is a former member of the Saint-Simon Foundation
think-tank.
He received an Agrégation de philosophie (1975), a Doctorat d’Etat en science politique (1981), and an Agrégation de science politique (1982).
As a Professor of political science and political philosophy, Luc Ferry taught at the Institut d'études politiques de Lyon
(1982–1988) — during which time he also taught and directed graduate research at the Pantheon-Sorbonne University —, at Caen University
(1989–96), and at Paris Diderot University (since 1996).
From 2002 and until 2004 he served as the Minister of Education on the cabinet
led by the conservative Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin
. During his tenure, he was the minister in charge of the implementation of the French law on secularity and conspicuous religious symbols in schools
. He received the award of Docteur honoris causa from the Université de Sherbrooke
(Canada
).
. According to him, the case was known at the highest levels on the French state, but he provided no specifics as to the persons involved, citing the risk of being sued for libel. A criminal investigation was then opened and he was asked to cooperate with the prosecutors.
In June 2011, Le Canard Enchaîné
, Le Monde
and other media revealed that Luc Ferry, a professor at Paris Diderot University since 1996 (or 1997, depending on sources) had not ever taught there — when he was minister, he was on leave, and when not on leave his obligation to teach was waived in order for him to undertake other official duties, some of which came with compensation pay, while he was still paid as a professor. In 2010, however, the University became financially autonomous and did not want to have professors on its payroll that did not teach; it then required Luc Ferry to do his allocated teaching share, which he declined to do. In 2011, according to some sources, the university is threatening to get him to refund his salary (4500€ per month).
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
philosopher
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...
and a notable proponent of Secular Humanism
Secular humanism
Secular Humanism, alternatively known as Humanism , is a secular philosophy that embraces human reason, ethics, justice, and the search for human fulfillment...
. He is a former member of the Saint-Simon Foundation
Saint-Simon Foundation
The Saint-Simon Foundation was a French think tank created in 1982 by the historian François Furet. It gathered intellectuals and businessmen until its dissolving in 1999. It was a member of the The Hague Club international network of think-tanks...
think-tank.
He received an Agrégation de philosophie (1975), a Doctorat d’Etat en science politique (1981), and an Agrégation de science politique (1982).
As a Professor of political science and political philosophy, Luc Ferry taught at the Institut d'études politiques de Lyon
Institut d'études politiques de Lyon
The Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Lyon also known as Sciences Po Lyon, was established following an executive decree by General de Gaulle in 1946. This prestigious and highly selective institute is modeled on the former Paris "École Libre des Sciences Politiques"...
(1982–1988) — during which time he also taught and directed graduate research at the Pantheon-Sorbonne University —, at Caen University
Caen University
The Université de Caen Basse-Normandie is a university in Caen, in France.-History:The institution was founded in 1432 by John of Lancaster, 1st Duke of Bedford, the first rector being a Cornishman, Michael Tregury, afterwards Archbishop of Dublin. It originally consisted of a faculty of Canon Law...
(1989–96), and at Paris Diderot University (since 1996).
From 2002 and until 2004 he served as the Minister of Education on the cabinet
Cabinet (government)
A Cabinet is a body of high ranking government officials, typically representing the executive branch. It can also sometimes be referred to as the Council of Ministers, an Executive Council, or an Executive Committee.- Overview :...
led by the conservative Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin
Jean-Pierre Raffarin
Jean-Pierre Raffarin is a French conservative politician and senator for Vienne.Jean-Pierre Raffarin served as the Prime Minister of France from 6 May 2002 to 31 May 2005, resigning after France's rejection of the referendum on the European Union draft constitution. However, after Raffarin...
. During his tenure, he was the minister in charge of the implementation of the French law on secularity and conspicuous religious symbols in schools
French law on secularity and conspicuous religious symbols in schools
The French law on secularity and conspicuous religious symbols in schools bans wearing conspicuous religious symbols in French public primary and secondary schools...
. He received the award of Docteur honoris causa from the Université de Sherbrooke
Université de Sherbrooke
The Université de Sherbrooke is a large university with campuses located in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada and Longueuil, a suburb of Montreal approximately west of Sherbrooke. It is one of two universities, and the only French language university, in the Estrie region of Quebec.In 2007, the...
(Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
).
Controversies
In June 2011, Ferry announced on television that he knew about a former minister who had sexually abused little boys in an orgy in MoroccoMorocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
. According to him, the case was known at the highest levels on the French state, but he provided no specifics as to the persons involved, citing the risk of being sued for libel. A criminal investigation was then opened and he was asked to cooperate with the prosecutors.
In June 2011, Le Canard Enchaîné
Le Canard enchaîné
Le Canard enchaîné is a satirical newspaper published weekly in France. Founded in 1915, it features investigative journalism and leaks from sources inside the French government, the French political world and the French business world, as well as many jokes and humorous cartoons.-Early...
, Le Monde
Le Monde
Le Monde is a French daily evening newspaper owned by La Vie-Le Monde Group and edited in Paris. It is one of two French newspapers of record, and has generally been well respected since its first edition under founder Hubert Beuve-Méry on 19 December 1944...
and other media revealed that Luc Ferry, a professor at Paris Diderot University since 1996 (or 1997, depending on sources) had not ever taught there — when he was minister, he was on leave, and when not on leave his obligation to teach was waived in order for him to undertake other official duties, some of which came with compensation pay, while he was still paid as a professor. In 2010, however, the University became financially autonomous and did not want to have professors on its payroll that did not teach; it then required Luc Ferry to do his allocated teaching share, which he declined to do. In 2011, according to some sources, the university is threatening to get him to refund his salary (4500€ per month).
Works
- La pensée '68 (1985)
- Homo Aestheticus (1990)
- The New Ecological Order (1992)
- Rights: The New Quarrel Between the Ancients and the Moderns
- Man Made God: The Meaning of Life (1992)
- The Wisdom of the Moderns (1998)
- Political Philosophy
- French Philosophy of the 60s with Alain Renaut
- Why We Are Not Nietzscheans, editor with Alain Renaut
- "Qu'est-ce qu'une vie reussie?", (2002) Editions Grasset & Fasquelle
- Le religieux après la religion (2004) with Marcel GauchetMarcel GauchetMarcel Gauchet is a French historian, philosopher and sociologist.Gauchet is professor at the Centre de recherches politiques Raymond Aron at the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales in Paris and head of the periodical Le Débat .Gauchet is one of France's most prominent contemporary...
- Apprendre à vivre (2006)
- Vaincre les peurs. La philosophie comme amour de la sagesse,(2006), éditions Odile Jacob.
- Kant. Une lecture des trois Critiques,(2006), éditions Grasset.
- Familles, je vous aime : Politique et vie privée à l'âge de la mondialisation,(2007), XO Editions.
- La tentation du christianisme with Lucien Jerphagnon, (2009), éditions Grasset.