The philosopher and professor emeritus at Unicamp, Oswaldo Porchat de Assis Pereira da Silva, passed away this Sunday (15), aged 84. The professor was the founder of the Department of Philosophy at the Institute of Philosophy and Human Sciences (IFCH) and the Center for Logic, Epistemology and History of Science (CLE) at the University. The wake was held this Monday (16) in the Noble Hall of the Faculty of Philosophy, Letters and Human Sciences (FFLCH) of the University of São Paulo (USP), where Porchat was also a professor. The body would be cremated in the Vila Alpina cemetery.
The IFCH Philosophy Department, the CLE board and the FFLCH Philosophy Department issued notes of condolence over Porchat's death [see below]. The texts highlight the contributions that the philosopher made to academic life and also to the development of philosophy in Brazil. “His person, his teaching, his always brilliant and generous performance in all segments of academic life and the philosophical legacy of his work perpetuate his presence in our lives”, highlighted the statement from the IFCH Department of Philosophy.
According to the note from the CLE management, the impact of Porchat's serious and rigorous work “reached large areas of scientific thought, and it is a great honor to have this study center as the realization of one of its projects”. Speaking about the philosopher's work, professor Alex Calheiros, from the University of Brasília (UnB), highlighted: “Professor Osvaldo Porchat had a long and fruitful career. He trained dozens of researchers and influenced an innumerable number of students throughout his academic life. An excellent researcher, he always stood out in the studies he undertook in logic, in the history of philosophy and in philosophy”.
In November 2011, Porchat received the title of professor emeritus at Unicamp, in a ceremony held in the University Council room (Consu). On that occasion, rector Fernando Costa declared that “it is a well-deserved tribute to one of the most important and prestigious Brazilian philosophers, whose work at this University paved the way for it to become known and respected internationally in the field of philosophy”.
Invited to make the initial greeting to the honoree, the then head of the Philosophy Department at IFCH, professor Fátima Regina Rodrigues Évora, whom Porchat invited as godmother, made the following statement: “Having been invited by him was, without a shadow of a doubt, the greatest honor that I have received throughout my academic life. Master of an entire generation of Brazilian philosophers, Professor Oswaldo Porchat is known and respected in Brazil and abroad, in addition to being one of the finest and most acute thinkers in this country, with an enviable capacity for synthesis. He stood out for his generous willingness to work institutionally, not only in the creation of departments and research centers, but especially in the implementation of the Brazilian system of postgraduate studies in philosophy, which owes much to him”.
Trajectory
Born in 1933, Oswaldo Porchat had a bachelor's degree in classical literature from USP (1956) and in philosophy from the University of Rennes (1959), where he was a student of Victor Goldschmidt, of whom he considered himself a disciple. He also defended his doctorate in philosophy from USP (1967) and was a resident student at the École Normale Supérieure, in Paris. He did postdoctoral studies at the University of California (Berkeley), in 1969-70, and at the London School of Economics and Political Sciences (London), in 1983. From 1961 to 1975, he served as professor of philosophy at USP, where he returned to teaching after spending ten years at Unicamp, until 1998. He defined himself as a neo-Pyrrhonian philosopher.
Note of condolence – IFCH Philosophy Department
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Professor Oswaldo Porchat de Assis Pereira da Silva, founder of the Department of Philosophy at UNICAMP and the Center for Logic, Epistemology and History of Science (CLE). This is a moment of deep sadness and also of recognition for the inestimable value of Porchat's contributions to Philosophy at UNICAMP and in Brazil. His person, his teaching, his always brilliant and generous performance in all segments of academic life and the philosophical legacy of his work perpetuate his presence in our lives. We express our most sincere condolences to Professor Porchat's family, friends and family.
Note of regret – Center for Logic, Epistemology and History of Science (CLE)
The Management and community of the Center for Logic, Epistemology and History of Science (CLE/UNICAMP) regrets to inform the death of the founder of CLE, professor Oswaldo Porchat de Assis Pereira da Silva, on 15/10/2017, at the age of 84.
Born in Santos in 1933, Oswaldo Porchat studied Classical Literature at USP and Philosophy at the University of Rennes, in France. In 1967, he received a doctorate in Philosophy from USP, with the work entitled The Aristotelian theory of science. At this same university, he taught from 1961 to 1975, when he became professor and founder of the Department of Philosophy. He conceived the creation of the Center for Logic, Epistemology and History of Science-CLE at UNICAMP in 1975, and in 1976 some academic activities were carried out. The official foundation of the CLE was completed in 1977. He was awarded the title of Knight of the Order of Academic Palms by the French government in 1984. He returned to USP in 1985, receiving the title of Professor Emeritus of the institution in 2001. Furthermore, He was a visiting professor at foreign universities, such as the University of California (Berkeley), the London School of Economics and Political Science and the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales. In 2011, Oswaldo Porchat received the title of Professor Emeritus at UNICAMP.
Known as one of the few skeptical philosophers in Brazil, Oswaldo Porchat believed he had found in classical skepticism a way to free common life from dogmatic imprisonment, which led him to play an important role in debates about academic education and teaching. The impact of his serious and rigorous work reached large areas of scientific thought, and it is a great honor to have this study center as the realization of one of his projects.
To family and friends, the CLE management expresses its deep condolences at this time of loss and pain.
Note of condolence from the FFLCH Department of Philosophy
It is with great regret that I announce the passing of Professor Oswaldo Porchat on this Sunday afternoon. The significance of Oswaldo Porchat's work and life for the history of this department and for the development of philosophy in Brazil cannot be encompassed in a few lines. I limit myself to informing you that the wake will be held in the Noble Hall of the Faculty of Philosophy, Letters and Human Sciences of the University of São Paulo, starting at 8 am this Monday. The philosophy department expresses its deepest debt to Oswaldo Porchat and expresses its most sincere condolences to his friends and family.
Best Regards,
Prof. Luiz Repa - Head of Department
Read more about Oswaldo Porchat
Other logics
Unicamp grants the title of Professor Emeritus to philosopher Oswaldo Porchat
