Josef Pieper (May 4, 1904- November 6, 1997) was a German Catholic philosopher, at the forefront of the Neo-Thomistic wave in twentieth century Catholic philosophy. Among his most notable works are The Four Cardinal Virtues,Leisure: the Basis of Culture,The Philosophical Act, and Guide to Thomas Aquinas (published in England as Introduction to Thomas Aquinas). He translated C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain, into German.
Pieper studied philosophy, law and sociology at the universities of Berlin and Münster. After working as a sociologist and freelance writer, he became ordinary professor of philosophical anthropology at the University of Münster, and taught there from 1950 to 1976. As professor emeritus he continued to provide lectures until 1996.
His views are rooted primarily in the Scholasticism of Thomas Aquinas and in the teachings of Plato. In 60 years of creative work as a philosopher and writer, Pieper explicated the wisdom tradition of the West in clear language, and identified its enduring relevance.
A recent champion of Pieper's philosophy in the English-speaking world is James V. Schall, S.J., Professor of Political Philosophy at Georgetown University. His many books contain innumerable references to Pieper, particularly in his Another Sort of Learning and The Life of the Mind.
In 1981 Pieper received the Balzan Prize in Philosophy; in 1987 he was awarded the State Prize of the state of Nordrhein-Westfalen. In 1990, he received the Ehrenring of the Görres-Gesellschaft.
Leisure, the Basis of Culture. Translated by Alexander Dru. With an introduction by T. S. Eliot. London: Faber and Faber, 1952. (Originally Muße und Kult. München: Kösel-Verlag, 1948). New translation by Gerald Malsbary. South Bend, Ind.: St. Augustine's Press, 1998. ISBN 1890318353.
The End of Time: a meditation on the philosophy of history. Translated by Michael Bullock. New York : Pantheon Books, 1954. (Originally Uber das Ende der Zeit). Reprinted New York: Octagon Books, 1982. ISBN 0374964475. Reprinted San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1999. ISBN 0898707269.
Happiness and Contemplation. Translated by Richard and Clara Winston. New York : Pantheon, 1958. Reprinted, with an introduction by Ralph McInerny. South Bend, Ind.: St. Augustine's Press, 1998. ISBN 1890318310.
The Four Cardinal Virtues: Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, Temperance. Notre Dame, Ind., 1966. Translations originally published separately, Fortitude and Temperance translated by Daniel F. Coogan (1954); Justice translated by Lawrence E. Lynch (1955); and Prudence translated by Richard and Clara Winston (1959).
Scholasticism: Personalities and Problems of Medieval Philosophy. Translated by Richard and Clara Winston. New York: Pantheon Press, 1960. Reissued South Bend, Ind.: St. Augustine's Press, 2001. ISBN 1587317508.
Guide to Thomas Aquinas. Translated by Richard and Clara Winston. New York: Pantheon Books, 1962. (Originally Hinführung zu Thomas von Aquin.) Publication in England as Introduction to Thomas Aquinas. London: Faber and Faber, 1962. Reissued San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1991. ISBN 0898703190
Enthusiasm and Divine Madness. Translated by Richard and Clara Winston. New York : Harcourt, Brace & World, 1964. (Originally Begeisterung und Göttlicher Wahnsinn). Reissued South Bend, Ind.: St. Augustine's Press, 2000. ISBN 189031823X
In Tune with the World: a Theory of Festivity. Translated by Richard and Clara Winston. New York: Harcourt, Brace and World, 1965. (Originally Zustimmung zur Welt). Reissued South Bend, Ind. : St. Augustine's Press, 1999. ISBN 1890318337
Death and Immortality. Translated by Richard and Clara Winston. New York: Herder & Herder; London: Burns & Oates, 1969. (Originally Tod und Unsterblichkeit. Munich: Kösel-Verlag, 1968.). Reissued South Bend, Indiana: St. Augustine's Press, 2000. ISBN 1890318183
Hope and History. Translated by Richard and Clara Winston. New York: Herder & Herder; London: Burns & Oates, 1969. ISBN 0223976997.
On Hope. Translated by Mary Frances McCarthy. (Originally Über die Hoffnung). San Francisco : Ignatius Press, 1986. ISBN 0898700671.
What is a Feast? Pascal Lectures on Christianity and the University. Waterloo: North Waterloo Academic Press, 1987. ISBN 0921075049.
No One Could Have Known: an autobiography: the early years 1904-1945. Translated by Graham Harrison. (Originally Noch wusste es Niemand). San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1987. ISBN 0898701317.
In Defense of Philosophy: Classical wisdom stands up to modern challenges. Translated by Lothar Krauth. San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1992. ISBN 0898703972 (Originally Verteidigungsrede für die Philosophie. Munich: Kösel-Verlag, 1966.)
In Search of the Sacred: Contributions to An Answer, San Francisco : Ignatius Press, 1991. ISBN 9780898703016
Josef Pieper: An Anthology, San Francisco : Ignatius Press, 1989. A translation of Josef Pieper: Lesebuch; 2nd ed., Munich : Kösel-Verlag, 1984. First edition 1981. ISBN 9780898702262
