Letter from Fritz Kaufmann written 03.11.1935

Author Fritz Kaufmann

Category foreign researchers, incoming correspondence

Archive Archive of Science PAN and PAU in Cracow

Date of creation 3.11.1935

Related places Freiburg

Reference code in archive K_III-26_D_43

Resource type letter

Subject matter personal issues

Field philosophy

Tags #? Rosenberg, #academic positions, #ask for help, #Edmund Husserl, #employment, #family, #favor, #financial problems, #forced leave of absence, #Freiburg, #friendship relation, #Fritz Kaufmann, #Germans, #Jewish community, #Jews, #Jews problems, #Kaufmann's summary of experience, #lectures, #looking for employment, #Nothilfe, #obligation, #University, #university lectures, #work at the university

FRITZ KAUFMANN n FREIBURG I.B., dated November 3, 1935
n n JOH. V. WEERTHSTR. 12

Dear Mr. Ingarden!

n Without much hope, without any obligation on your account, but as a duty to my wife and children and, last but not least, upon recommendation by Husserl, I am contacting you today to ask for a favor.
n After I had been giving lectures at the university until last semester, thinking that my job description included teaching Germans, I have been furloughed like the rest of us (even Husserl’s son-in-law Rosenberg is among those affected). I am aware that we will not return from this leave of absence.
n Until this point, something kept me in Germany – in addition to an old love. I think I previously mentioned this to you: The development of a religious emergency response organization (“Nothilfe”) for the Jewish community.
n This work seemed necessary and was gratifying – even without compensation. But now I am afraid it is collapsing. Long story short, the patient is fatally ill, and the paramedic’s house is on fire.
n Where should he run to? Is there any remotely suitable position I could apply for in your location? I would even accept a position that pays very little. Is there any way you could help me without me causing you any major problems?
n Although you are quite familiar with my professional work, I am including a summary of my experience. My lectures and courses covered the history of philosophy, ethics, philosophy of history, social philosophy, philosophy of language and particularly of poetry, aesthetics, and the history of aesthetics. I will be happy to provide a letter of reference from the most qualified source, namely Husserl, upon request.
n Please contact me if you hear of any possibilities on your horizon. I would be grateful if you could at least send me a few lines to let me know that you received this letter.
I apologize for burdening you with my/our problems. This is contrary to my usual habits. Please don’t let this weigh you down (we will get by somehow!), and I hope this will not cause any grievance between us. I just had to ask.
n Dear Mr. Ingarden, I would have liked to ask you about your work and how you are doing. However, I am feeling a bit uneasy today, and I am afraid it wouldn’t seem genuine considering the true intent of this letter. Therefore, let me close without any further words.

n Yours most faithfully (regardless of the misfortunes we might encounter),

n n n n Fritz Kaufmann