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Definition: Adler, Mortimer J(erome) (1902–2001) from The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia with Atlas and Weather Guide

US philosopher and writer. Adler popularized the great ideas of Western civilization in such works as Great Books of the Western World, 54 vols. (1954, revised 1990), How to Read a Book (1940, revised 1972), and Six Great Ideas (1981).

Adler taught at the University of Chicago, 1930–52, where he helped to design the Great Books program. In 1952 he became director of the Institute for Philosophical Research.


Adler, Mortimer, and the Paideia Program

From Encyclopedia of Educational Theory and Philosophy
Mortimer Adler, professor, philosopher, and educational theorist, was born in New York City in 1902. He left school at age 14 to write for newspapers and initially enrolled in Columbia University to improve his writing. Because he never passed the swimming test, he never earned a baccalaureate degree, but he did eventually earn a PhD from Columbia University where he studied with John Dewey. Adler eventually repudiated Dewey's faith in progress and in science, positing instead the argument that while human situations may change, human problems remain the same. For education, then, we should look to the ancients and to philosophy rather than to fashion and science. It is not surprising, then, that “Mortimer Adler” and “great books” are often considered synonymous categories. Adler believed that the classics are the foundation of a good education for all people because they pass down the “great ideas.” Reading the great books develops ethical, socially responsible citizens who have in…
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Full text Article Adler, Mortimer J. (1902–2001)

From Culture Wars in America: An Encyclopedia of Issues, Viewpoints, and Voices
A well-known public intellectual and preeminent “great books” supporter and philosopher, Mortimer Adler opposed radical multiculturalism in both education and American culture during the 1980s and 1990s. Born Mortimer Jerome Adler in New York City on December 28, 1902, he attended Columbia…
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Full text Article Adler

From Merriam-Webster's Collegiate(R) Dictionary Full text Article Biographical Names
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Full text Article Quotations by Author

From Chambers Dictionary of Great Quotations
Abbott, Diane Julie 1953- Abelard, Peter 1079-1142 Abercrombie, Lascelles 1881-1938 Abrams, M(eyer) H(oward) 1912- Abse, Dannie 1923-2014 Abu’l-’Alá, Al-Ma’arri 973-1058 Abzug, Bella originally Bella Savitzky 1920-98…
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Full text Article SCIENCE

From Gaither's Dictionary of Scientific Quotations
American environmentalist and nature writer That which today calls itself science gives us more and more information, an indigestible glut of information, and less and less understanding. Down the River Part I Down the River with Henry Thoreau November 7, 1980 (p. 29 ) E.P. Dutton & Company. New…
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Full text Article PROBLEM

From Gaither's Dictionary of Scientific Quotations
American writer Part of the irony of environmentalism is questing for solutions when you know you're part of the problem. The Rarest of the Rare: Vanishing Animals, Timeless Worlds Insect Love (p. 156 ) Vintage Books. New York New York USA . 1997. American math... …
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Full text Article DISCOVERY

From Gaither's Dictionary of Scientific Quotations
English theoretical chemist Many chemists, physicists, and artisans have contributed to the discovery of the regions of the kingdom [periodic table]. Some have stumbled on a new element unexpectedly; others have planned their journeys of exploration, in the expectation of discovering an element…
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Full text Article Encyclopedia or encyclopaedia

From Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable
A book or books giving information on all branches of knowledge or on a particular subject, which is usually arranged alphabetically. The word represents New Latin encyclopaedia , from pseudo-Greek enkuklopaideia , an erroneous form of enkuklios paideia , literally ‘encyclical education’, referring…
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Full text Article Adler, Mortimer J(erome)

From Britannica Concise Encyclopedia
(born Dec. 28, 1902, New York, N.Y., U.S.—died June 28, 2001, San Mateo, Calif.) U.S. philosopher, educator, and editor. He earned a doctorate in philosophy from Columbia University (1928) and taught philosophy of law from 1930 at the University of Chicago, where with Robert M. Hutchins he promoted…
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Full text Article References

From Essential Criminology
Abrahamsen, David. 1944. Crime and the Human Mind . Columbia University Press New York . Abrahamsen, David. 1960. The Psychology of Crime . Columbia University Press New York . Achilles, Mary ; Howard Zehr. 2001. “ …
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Full text Article 1974

From The Hutchinson Chronology of World History Full text Article 1974
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