Enrique Molina Garmendia

Enrique Molina Garmendia (August 4, 1871, La Serena, Chile – March 8, 1964, Concepción, Chile) was a Chilean educator and philosopher who promoted and aided in the development of the decentralization of education in Chile. His greatest achievement was founding the Universidad de Concepción (University of Concepción), the third oldest university in Chile and the first to be located outside the capital Santiago. Garmendia is considered the most distinguished pedagogue of his time, as well as one of the most influential Chilean philosophers.

He received various distinctions during his lifetime, among them the honor of Doctor Honoris Causa from the University of Chile and that of Rector Honorario Vitalicio (Honorary University President for Life) from the University of Concepción.

Publications Some of his main works, including books, scientific, and philosophical articles: 1907 – The Task of the Professor and Education 1909 – The Social Philosophy of Lester Ward 1909 – Science and Traditionalism 1909 – The Pragmatism of William James 1912 – Culture and General Education

1914 – Contemporary Education 1917 – American Democracies and What They Have to Do 1920 – On the Two Americas 1921 – From California to Harvard (Studies about the North American University and Some Problems of Ours) 1935 – The Russian and Bolchevista Revoluction 1940 – Projects of the Intuition 1941 – Pilgrimage of the University 1942 – A Philospical Confesion and a Call for Improving Hispanic America 1943 – Memories of Don Valentín Letelier 1944 – The Philosophy of Bergson 1944 – Nietzche, Dionysianism, and Asceticism. His Life and Ideology 1947 – On Spirituality in Human Life 1952 – Tragedy and Realization of the Spirit

Distinctions The work Tribute to the Spirit of the Founders of the University of Concepción, designed by Samuel Román, honors Enrique Molina as the co-founder and first rector of the University of Concepción. The work Tribute to the Spirit of the Founders of the University of Concepción, designed by Samuel Román, honors Enrique Molina as the co-founder and first rector of the University of Concepción. In his various trips through other countries Molina Garmendia received multiple distinction and awards including:

Goethe Medal, Germany Academic member of the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Chile, Santiago Official of the Academy of Ministry of Public Instruction, France Knight of the Crown, Italy Member of the athenaeum, Mexico Award of Art from the Municipality of Concepción, 1953, Concepción, Chile

Additionally in 1956 he was named the rector of the University of Conceptión for life; in 1959 the author Samuel Román erected in his name the monument Tribute to the Spirit of the Founders of the University of Concepción, placed at the City University of Conceptión. The same year he received the honorary title, Doctor Honoris Causa at the University of Chile.