Existentialism; Metaphysics; Philosophy of Religion; Philosophical Theology[1]
Frederick Earl Sontag (October 2, 1924 – June 14, 2009[2]) was a professor of philosophy and author. He taught at
Pomona College in
Claremont, California from 1952 to 2009,[3] retiring shortly before his death.[4]
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.[3]
Sontag was the Robert C. Denison Professor of Philosophy at
Pomona College, where he worked from 1952 to 2009. He had also been chairman of the department (1960–67 and 1976–77) and chairman of the Committee on Honors Study (1961–70). He also served as a visiting professor at a number of institutions (
Union Theological Seminary, 1959–60, Collegio di Sant'Anselmo, Rome, 1966–67,
University of Copenhagen, 1972,
University of Kyoto, 1974, and
East-West Center, Honolulu, 1974). He was the theologian-in-residence at American Church in Paris in 1973 and
Fulbright Regional American Professor, East Asian and Pacific Area from 1977 to 1978.[3]
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.[10][11] Sontag testified in the student's defense at his trial in which he was found
not guilty by reason of insanity.[12] He said about the incident: "My genes lack something, I don't seem to hold grudges...I believe in restoring relationships."[13]
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.[14]
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."[15] He died of congestive
heart failure on June 14, 2009.[2] A research fellowship fund, a gate, a theater, and a residence hall are named in his honor.[15][16]
The American Religious Experience: The Roots, Trends and the Future of American Theology, with John Roth Sontag(
Harper and Row, 1972) ASIN: B0026958X2
How Philosophy Shapes Theology: Problems in the Philosophy of Religion (Harper and Row, 1971)
ISBN0-06-046349-X
The Problems of Metaphysics (Chandler, 1970)
God, Why Did You Do That? (Westminster, 1970)
The God of Evil: An Argument from the Existence of the Devil (Harper, 1970) ASIN: B000X77PFI
The Crisis of Faith: A Protestant Witness in Rome (Doubleday, 1969) ASIN: B0020CM7AW
The Future of Theology: A Philosophical Basis for Contemporary Protestant Theology (Westminster, 1969) ASIN: B000L311VS
^George J. Stack, Book Review: The Existentialist Prolegomena: To a Future Metaphysics by Frederick Sontag, Man and World, Springer Netherlands, Volume 5, Number 1 / February, 1972, pp. 124-134