French Academy Inauguration Speech

Author: (French) Rodin, Ionesco, Perfe
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-05-01
Features: The collection of speeches by the French Academicians presented to the readers includes the inaugural addresses of over ten French Academicians at the ceremonies of their induction into the French Academy or the Collège de France. These academicians specialize in various fields, spanning philosophy (Aron), history (Duby, Braudel), literature (Montaigne, Valéry, Yourcenar), theater (Ionesco), anthropology (Dumézil), biological sciences (Rodin), and many other areas. Respected for their brilliant achievements and colorful works in their respective eras, their names have been immortalized in history, shining brightly. One of the purposes of compiling this book is to allow readers to gain insight into the spiritual demeanor of these intellectual elites and appreciate and savor the sentiments deep within their souls. As everyone knows, the inaugural speeches of the Collège de France academicians (such as Duby) have later been widely recognized as academic masterpieces, such as Merleau-Ponty's The Prose of Philosophy, Foucault's The Order of Discourse, and the Medieval Society included in our collection, among others. This is because the tradition of the Collège de France is that teachers must always speak about what they are currently thinking and researching, rather than what has already been said or what others have said. Such speeches truly belong to the "frontier of academia." In the French Academy, the welcoming speeches of newly inducted members do not discuss themselves but instead express deep respect and sincerity in detailing and analyzing the works and thoughts of their predecessors, while their own academic achievements are introduced by incumbent academicians in their replies. We can see that the speakers and repliers not only demonstrate sincere attitudes filled with gratitude but are even more impressive in that the newly inducted members are so familiar with their predecessors both as individuals and in their writings, understanding their thoughts and words so deeply. It is particularly noteworthy that some newly inducted academicians, whose reputation far surpasses that of their predecessors, still maintain such a calm attitude toward themselves, humbly respecting their predecessors while maintaining objective analysis, which truly deserves admiration. One of the fundamental criteria for determining whether a nation, a people, or even a culture can maintain vitality, remain healthy and sustainable, and have a bright future is how it treats its predecessors and understands its traditions. Therefore, different countries, which share long traditions, may produce entirely different outcomes due to their different attitudes toward this issue. If we patiently read the speeches of these academicians, we will gain a deeper understanding of this point and also have more rational reflections on why vibrant intellectual activity often occurs in France in the 20th century.