Origins & Early Life

Vilém Flusser (May 12, 1920 – November 27, 1991) was a Czech-born Brazilian philosopher, writer and journalist, best known for his contributions to media studies, communication theory, and the philosophy of language. He lived for a long period in São Paulo (where he became a Brazilian citizen) and later in France, and his works are written in many different languages. His early work was marked by discussion of the thought of Martin Heidegger, and by the influence of existentialism and phenomenology. Phenomenology would play a major role in the transition to the later phase of his work, in which he turned his attention to the philosophy of communication and of artistic production.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He contributed to the dichotomy logic theory through history: the period of image worship, and period of text worship, with deviations consequently into idolatry and "textolatry". Flusser was born in 1920 in Prague, Czechoslovakia into a family of Jewish intellectuals. His father, Gustav Flusser, studied mathematics and physics (under Albert Einstein among others). Vilém attended German and Czech primary schools and later a German grammar school. In 1938, Flusser started to study philosophy at the...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Alberto Sordi — Contemporary (Born in 1920) (1920): Pillar of Italian Cinema, master of Commedia all'italiana comedy.
• Alfred Peet — Contemporary (Born in 1920) (1920): Dutch-American founder credited with starting the US specialty coffee revolution.
• Amedeo Modigliani — Contemporary (Died in 1920) (1920): Italian painter and sculptor known for elongated, modern portraits and nudes.
• Abby Stein — Contemporary (Born in 1991) (1991): Israeli-American author, rabbi, and activist who speaks on faith and gender identity.
• Andros Townsend — Contemporary (Born in 1991) (1991): English professional footballer known for his time at Tottenham Hotspur and subsequent moves.
• Antoine Griezmann — Contemporary (Born in 1991) (1991): Versatile French forward known for intelligence and attacking output.
• Adolfo Pedernera — Shared historical date (05-12 · Died) (1995): Argentine football legend, nicknamed 'El Maestro,' pivotal in the 1940s.
• Amy Lowell — Shared historical date (05-12 · Died) (1925): American poet, key figure in the Imagist school, known for her vibrant verse.
• Ada Lovelace — Shared historical date (11-27 · Died) (1852): Pioneering mathematician recognized as the first computer programmer.
• Alexander Dubček — Shared historical date (11-27 · Born) (1921): Slovak statesman known for leading the Prague Spring and advocating 'Socialism with a human face'.
• 1920 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1920
• May 12 (05-12) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on May 12
• 1991 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1991
• November 27 (11-27) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on November 27