Frederick Sontag

Frederick Earl Sontag (October 2, 1924 – June 14, 2009 ) was a professor of philosophy and author. He taught at Pomona College in Claremont, California from 1952 to 2009, retiring shortly before his death. Biography Sontag served in the U.S. Army during the Second World War, becoming a sergeant. He graduated from Stanford University in 1949 with a B.A. (with great distinction), then attended Yale University where he earned an M.A. in 1951 and a Ph.D. in 1952. Sontag was a minister in the United Church of Christ. He was considered an expert on the Unification Church. In the 1970s he interviewed church founder Sun Myung Moon and church members in Europe, America, and Asia while researching for a book published in 1977.

In 2000, Sontag offered to let a troubled student spend the night at his home. But as he drove the student to his dormitory to pick up some clothes, the student became agitated, drew a knife and stabbed Sontag twice. Sontag testified in the student's defense at his trial in which he was found not guilty by reason of insanity. He said about the incident: "My genes lack something, I don't seem to hold grudges...I believe in restoring relationships."

In a 2004 interview with Pomona College Magazine, singer, actor, songwriter, and former Pomona College student Kris Kristofferson mentioned Sontag as an important influence in his life.

Upon his retirement from Pomona College in May 2009, Sontag was awarded the Pomona College Trustees’ Medal of Merit, as "an extraordinarily magnanimous member of this community."

Works American Life (University Press of America, 2005) A Kierkegaard Handbook (Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2003) ASIN: B001UVYBRG The Descent of Women (Paragon Press, 1997) Truth and Imagination (University Press of America, 1997) The Acts of Trinity (University Press of America, 1996) Uncertain Truth (University Press of America, 1995) Wittgenstein and the Mystical: Philosophy As an Ascetic Practice (An American Academy of Religion Book, 1995) Emotion: Its Role in Understanding and Decision (American University Studies Series V, Philosophy) (Peter Lang Pub Inc, 1990) What can God do? (Abingdon Press, 1979) Sun Myung Moon and the Unification Church (Abingdon Press, 1977; Korean translation, Pacific Publishing Company, 1981; Japanese translation, Tuttle-Mori Agency, Inc., 1977; German translation, SINUS-Verlag, Krefeld, 1981) ". Divine Perfection (Harper & Brothers, 1962) ASIN: B001TYXVVQ