Mortimer Adler Quotes
A collection of quotes by Mortimer Adler.
Mortimer Adler (1902-2001) was an American philosopher, educator, and author. He is best known for his work on classical liberal arts education and promoting the Great Books program. Born in New York City, Adler grew up in a working-class family and even as a child showed a deep interest in learning.
Adler attended Columbia University, where he studied philosophy and graduated in 1923. Throughout his career, he worked as a professor, philosopher, and writer, making significant contributions to the field of education and intellectual thought. In 1940, he co-authored the book "How to Read a Book: The Art of Getting a Liberal Education," which became a bestseller and remains influential in teaching reading comprehension and critical thinking.
During the 1950s, Adler founded and served as director of the Institute for Philosophical Research in Chicago. He co-edited the fifty-four-volume "Great Books of the Western World" collection, which aimed to introduce readers to important works of literature, science, philosophy, and more. This effort formed the basis for the Great Books program, which Adler championed as a means of providing a well-rounded liberal arts education.
Throughout his long and prolific career, Mortimer Adler wrote over fifty books and countless articles on subjects ranging from ethics and politics to education and epistemology. He was a dedicated educator, aiming to bring the richness of the Western intellectual tradition to a wider audience. His work continues to shape educational discourse and serves as a testament to the importance of lifelong learning.
