Who was Emil Cioran? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Emil Mihai Cioran

Died At Age: 84

Family:

father: Emilian Cioran

mother: Elvira Cioran

siblings: Aurel Cioran

Born Country: Romania

Philosophers Romanian Men

Died on: July 20, 1995

place of death: Paris, France

Notable Alumni: Gheorghe Lazăr National College

Ancestry: Romanian French

Cause of Death: Alzheimer

Diseases & Disabilities: Alzheimer's

More Facts

education: Humboldt University Of Berlin, University Of Bucharest, Gheorghe Lazăr National College

awards: Roger Nimier Prize

Recommended For You

1

What philosophical themes did Emil Cioran explore in his works?

Emil Cioran delved into existentialist themes such as despair, nihilism, and the absurdity of life in his philosophical writings.
2

How did Emil Cioran's upbringing influence his philosophical views?

Emil Cioran's upbringing in a religious and conservative Romanian family played a significant role in shaping his critical and pessimistic outlook on life.
3

What impact did Emil Cioran's work have on existentialist philosophy?

Emil Cioran's philosophical works, known for their dark and provocative nature, have had a significant influence on existentialist philosophy, particularly in exploring the depths of human consciousness and despair.
4

How did Emil Cioran's views on religion and spirituality differ from traditional beliefs?

Emil Cioran's views on religion and spirituality were highly critical and skeptical, often rejecting traditional beliefs and questioning the existence of a higher power or meaning in life.
5

What is the significance of Emil Cioran's aphoristic writing style in his philosophical works?

Emil Cioran's use of aphorisms in his writing style served to convey his complex and profound philosophical ideas in a succinct and impactful manner, inviting readers to reflect deeply on the human condition.

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Childhood & Early Life

Emil Mihai Cioran was born on April 8, 1911, in Resinar (current day Rășinari, Romania), which was a part of the Szeben County, Austro-Hungarian Empire, at that period of time. He was born to an Orthodox Christian family. His father, Emilian Cioran, was a priest and his mother, Elvira Comaniciu, was a homemaker.

He received his early education at the Gheorghe Lazăr High School where he studied humanities. Later, he attended the University of Bucharest to study philosophy.

Cioran met some of his future best friends during his time at the university. Future playwright Eugène Ionesco and future historian Mircea Eliade became his close friends. He also met Petre Țuțea and Constantin Noica while studying under NaeIonescu whose ideas had a great influence on Cioran.

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Career

Emil Cioran had a good grasp on the German language and was influenced by the works of Arthur Schopenhauer and Friedrich Nietzsche. When he was a scholar at the University of Berlin, Cioran was fascinated by the policies of the Nazi regime. Hitler’s leadership and political views drew a lot of praise from him.

He once said that Hitler was the most “admirable” and “sympathetic” politicians during his time. He called himself a “Hitlerist” in a letter he wrote to Romanian literary critic Petru Comarnescu. He also voiced his praise on Italian fascism, which, according to him, was necessary for Italy to win the Second Italo-Abyssinian War.

Emil Cioran wrote many books on social issues, his first being ‘On the Heights of Despair’. The book was published in the Romanian language in 1934.

In the coming years, he published three more critical pieces of his work. The three books, ‘The Book of Delusions’, ‘The Transfiguration of Romania’, and ‘Tears and Saints’ were all published in Romania between 1935 and 1937.

Emil Cioran was known for his inclination towards right-wing politics and extreme nationalist views since his days in Germany. In Romania, he showed interest in the far-right political organization ‘Iron Guard’. Despite not agreeing with their violent methods and extremism, Cioran did show support to their nationalist views.

He was offered a scholarship by the French Institute of Bucharest in 1937 which he duly accepted. Although he was supposed to be there for a few years, Cioran actually never returned except once for a brief period. During that short period in Romania, he again lent his support to Iron Guard.

He wrote his last book, ‘The Passionate Handbook’, in Romania and published it in 1945. It took him almost five years to complete the book which was based on pessimism and cynicism.

Four years after his last book in Romanian, Cioran published his first French book, ‘A Short History of Decay’, which is considered to be his finest work. His other notable French books include ‘History and Utopia’, ‘The Trouble with Being Born’, and ‘Drawn and Quartered’.

Major Works

Emil Cioran’s debut book, ‘On the Heights of Despair’, focused on the mental state of man and the complete loss of faith. The book was awarded the Young Writers Prize and the Commission’s Prize for a new young writer.

His very first book in French was ‘Précis de décomposition’, which translates to ‘A Short History of Decay’ in English. The book was published by the leading French book publisher Éditions Gallimard. Cioran was awarded the Rivarol Prize in 1950 for this masterpiece.

Family & Personal Life

Emil Cioran was in a long-term partnership with Simone Boué. She predeceased him. He lived the major part of his later life at the Latin Quarter of Paris, away from public attention. He isolated himself from almost everything apart from some of his closest friends.

He suffered from Alzheimer's disease and died on June 20, 1995, in Paris. His mortal body was rested at the Montparnasse Cemetery.

Facts About Emil Cioran

Emil Cioran was known for his extreme pessimism and philosophical musings, but he also had a playful side, enjoying wordplay and dark humor in his writing.

Despite his reputation for being a recluse and a misanthrope, Cioran was known to have a close circle of friends with whom he enjoyed lively discussions and debates.

Cioran had a fascination with the concept of insomnia and often wrote about his struggles with sleeplessness, which added a unique dimension to his philosophical reflections.

Cioran was an avid reader and drew inspiration from a wide range of sources, including literature, philosophy, and theology, resulting in a diverse and eclectic body of work.

In his later years, Cioran developed a deep appreciation for nature and solitude, often finding solace in long walks and moments of contemplation amidst the beauty of the natural world.

Emil Cioran Biography

You wanted to know

What philosophical themes did Emil Cioran explore in his works?

How did Emil Cioran's upbringing influence his philosophical views?

What impact did Emil Cioran's work have on existentialist philosophy?

How did Emil Cioran's views on religion and spirituality differ from traditional beliefs?

What is the significance of Emil Cioran's aphoristic writing style in his philosophical works?