Lucien Jerphagnon

Lucien Jerphagnon (7 September 1921 – 16 September 2011) was a French scholar, historian and philosopher specialized in Greek and Roman philosophy.

Biography Lucien Jerphagnon was the son of Émile Jerphagnon, an engineer (1891–1975), and Jeanne, née Lallemand (1895–1927), who married on October 19, 1910. When he was only six years old, his mother died at the age of 32. His father remarried, and nine years later, Jean Jerphagnon (1936–2005) was born, who went on to have a distinguished career in telecommunications. Lucien Jerphagnon began his studies in Nancy and then continued at the Lycée in Bordeaux. During the Occupation, he was denounced as a draft dodger of the compulsory labor service (STO) and was deported to a munitions factory in Steyerberg, near Hanover (1943–1945).

After the Liberation, he studied theology and philosophy, then joined the abbey of Meaux. He was ordained as a priest on June 29, 1950. He then taught philosophy at the major seminary in Meaux from 1951 to 1961, at which point he chose to leave the priesthood. On February 3, 1962, Lucien Jerphagnon married Thérèse Noir (1934–2015). The couple had a daughter named Ariane. He continued his education at the École Pratique des Hautes Études (EPHE), writing his thesis under the supervision of Jean Orcibal, a renowned specialist in Jansenism and mysticism. Lucien Jerphagnon was a research associate at the CNRS (1961–1965), a lecturer at the Sorbonne (1961–1966), and at the Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers (1965–1966). After dedicating a psychology thesis to Pascal, he defended his PhD in philosophy in 1965 under the supervision of Vladimir Jankélévitch, who was then his philosophy mentor (and whom he assisted). The thesis, "On Banalness: Essay on Ipseity and Its Lived Duration: Personal Duration and Co-Duration", was published the same year. In addition to Jankélévitch’s influence, he was also deeply marked by the work of Paul Veyne.

He taught philosophy at the Janson-de-Sailly high school and was appointed lecturer at the University of Franche-Comté in Besançon (1966–1970), while also serving as advisor to the International Institute of Philosophy (CNRS and UNESCO, 1966–1984). He then taught the History of Ancient and Medieval Philosophy at the University of Caen (1970–1984), where one of his students was Michel Onfray, who later paid tribute to him after his death. He retired in 1984 and was succeeded by Luc Ferry. Lucien Jerphagnon was also one of the founding members of the International Center for Platonic and Aristotelian Studies in Athens. He was a corresponding member of the Academy of Athens, the Academy of Sciences and Letters of Montpellier, and the Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters of Caen. Lucien Jerphagnon is buried in the old cemetery of Rueil-Malmaison, next to his wife.

Among his numerous publications devoted to ancient Greece and Rome, he dedicated a monograph to Julian, known as the Apostate. In Living and Philosophizing under the Caesars (Vivre et philosopher sous les Césars, Grand Prix of the Académie française – 1980), he offers a “non-philosophical” history of ancient philosophy, showing how philosophers attempted to embody their moral and political principles in the tangible world. He also highlights the interest emperors took in philosophy as a means to strengthen their power. He is known for his “ambitious syntheses” (History of Ancient Rome, History of Thought: from Homer to Joan of Arc, The Divine Caesars), which have been reprinted many times. The result of twelve years of work, he oversaw the French edition of the three volumes of Saint Augustine's works for the prestigious Bibliothèque de la Pléiade collection at Gallimard (1998–2002). In 2019, the Bibliothèque nationale de France acquired the manuscripts of his works.

Honours and awards Honours Knight of the Legion of Honour Commander of the Ordre des Palmes académiques Commander of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres

Awards 1981 : Estrade-Delcros Prize of the Académie Française 1999 : Moron Prize of the Académie des Sciences Morales et Politiques 2007 : Écritures & Spiritualités Award

Acknowledgements Member of the Academy of Athens (modern) Member of the Académie des Sciences, Arts et Belles-Lettres de Caen Member of the Montpellier Academy of Sciences and Letters

Lucien Jerphagnon truly left a significant intellectual legacy in ancient and Christian philosophy. His works offer an ambitious synthesis of classical thought and have influenced many students, including Michel Onfray. He is recognized for his contributions to ancient philosophy, his historical approach to thought under the Roman Empire, and his editing of the works of Saint Augustine, with particular attention to the heritage of Platonic and Aristotelian thought. One of his greatest merits lies in his ability to highlight the influence of philosophy on politics and morality within the Roman Empire, a theme he explores in depth in works like Living and Philosophizing under the Caesars. His reflection on the role of philosophers in Roman political life has provided a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between philosophical wisdom and imperial power. His expertise in editing and interpreting ancient texts also played a fundamental role in the dissemination of Augustinian thought, as evidenced by his three-volume edition of The Complete Works of Saint Augustine for the prestigious Bibliothèque de la Pléiade collection. This work, known for its rigor and depth, earned him several prestigious awards. His influence also extended to his teaching, particularly with students such as Michel Onfray, who paid tribute to him after his death. Despite his retirement from academia in 1984, Jerphagnon's legacy endures through his writings and contributions to the history of philosophy. He was able to refresh the study of antiquity with a contemporary perspective, which continues to nourish intellectual debate today. In summary, Lucien Jerphagnon left a lasting impact on philosophical and theological studies, and his work remains a reference for those interested in ancient philosophy, Christian thought, and their intersections.

Jean d'Ormesson defined him as follows: "A scholar who knows how to combine a swift and appealing style with the most rigorous erudition," finding in him "a familiar simplicity, often laced with humor, along with unfailing precision."