Willem Jan Otten
Encyclopedia
Willem Jan Otten is a Dutch prose writer, playwright and poet. Since 1978 Otten has been married to the Dutch writer Vonne van der Meer
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He grew up in an atmosphere of moral libertinism
. His nonfiction is in part a reflection upon that atmosphere and a polemic with the philosophy behind that atmosphere. He published his first book of poetry in 1973. He has published essays and fiction about euthanasia
and played a role in the euthanasia debate in the Netherlands
by criticizing the arguments in favour of euthanasia and the freedom of choice in matters of one's own life and death.
In 1999 he published an essay Het wonder van de losse olifanten, een rede tot de ontwikkelden onder de verachters van de christelijke religie (The miracle of the solitary elephants. Lecture addressed to the cultivated among the despisers of the Christian religion) in which he examined the arguments pro and contra Christian belief. This 'lecture' followed upon his conversion to Roman Catholicism. His wife Vonne van der Meer is a Roman Catholic convert too.
Some of his books are translated in Italian, German, French and Swedish.
In 2007 Otten received an honorary degree
in theology
from Utrecht University
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Vonne van der Meer
Vonne van der Meer is a Dutch prose writer and playwright. Since 1978 Van der Meer has been married to the Dutch writer Willem Jan Otten.-Biography:...
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Biography
Otten was born in Amsterdam as the son of the musicians Marijke Ferguson and Kees Otten. He spent his youth in the Rivierenbuurt (Rivers Area) in Amsterdam and in LarenLaren
is a municipality and a town in the Netherlands, in the province of North Holland. Located in the region called 't Gooi, it is the oldest town in that area. It is one of the richest towns in the Netherlands, along with its neighbour Blaricum...
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He grew up in an atmosphere of moral libertinism
Libertine
A libertine is one devoid of most moral restraints, which are seen as unnecessary or undesirable, especially one who ignores or even spurns accepted morals and forms of behavior sanctified by the larger society. Libertines, also known as rakes, placed value on physical pleasures, meaning those...
. His nonfiction is in part a reflection upon that atmosphere and a polemic with the philosophy behind that atmosphere. He published his first book of poetry in 1973. He has published essays and fiction about euthanasia
Euthanasia
Euthanasia refers to the practice of intentionally ending a life in order to relieve pain and suffering....
and played a role in the euthanasia debate in the Netherlands
Euthanasia in the Netherlands
Euthanasia in the Netherlands is regulated by the "Termination of Life on Request and Assisted Suicide Act" from 2002. It states that euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide are not punishable if the attending physician acts in accordance with criteria of due care...
by criticizing the arguments in favour of euthanasia and the freedom of choice in matters of one's own life and death.
In 1999 he published an essay Het wonder van de losse olifanten, een rede tot de ontwikkelden onder de verachters van de christelijke religie (The miracle of the solitary elephants. Lecture addressed to the cultivated among the despisers of the Christian religion) in which he examined the arguments pro and contra Christian belief. This 'lecture' followed upon his conversion to Roman Catholicism. His wife Vonne van der Meer is a Roman Catholic convert too.
Some of his books are translated in Italian, German, French and Swedish.
Awards
- 1972 - Reina Prinsen Geerligsprijs - Een zwaluw vol zaagsel
- 1981 - Herman Gorterprijs -Ik zoek het hier
- 1992 - Jan Campertprijs - Paviljoenen
- 1994 - Busken Huetprijs - De letterpiloot
- 1999 - Constantijn Huygens PrizeConstantijn Huygens PrizeThe Constantijn Huygens Prize is a Dutch literary award.-History:Since 1947, it has been awarded each year for an author's complete works by the Jan Campert Foundation , a foundation named in honor of the Dutch writer Jan Campert who died while helping Jews during WWII...
- collected works - 2005 - Libris Literatuur Prijs - Specht en zoon
In 2007 Otten received an honorary degree
Honorary degree
An honorary degree or a degree honoris causa is an academic degree for which a university has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, study, and the passing of examinations...
in theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
from Utrecht University
Utrecht University
Utrecht University is a university in Utrecht, Netherlands. It is one of the oldest universities in the Netherlands and one of the largest in Europe. Established March 26, 1636, it had an enrollment of 29,082 students in 2008, and employed 8,614 faculty and staff, 570 of which are full professors....
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