This document presents a concise biography of Dr. Ladislav V. Hejdánek, born in Prague on May 10, 1927. It outlines his educational journey, starting from primary and secondary school in Prague, followed by studies in mathematics and philosophy of natural sciences, and subsequently philosophy and sociology at the Faculty of Arts, Charles University, where he earned his Doctor of Philosophy degree in 1952. The biography details his military service, his work in documentation and library science at the Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, then at the Institute of Philosophy of the Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences, and after years of forced labor in less skilled positions (night watchman, stoker), he received a grant from the University of Amsterdam from 1987–1989, where he was awarded an honorary doctorate in the same year. Upon his return to Czechoslovakia and habilitation at the Protestant Theological Faculty of Charles University in 1990, where he later became a professor, he was appointed president of the revived Philosophical Association. In 1992, he became an ordinary professor at both the Faculty of Arts and the Protestant Theological Faculty of Charles University and was awarded the French Order of Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres. Since 1993, he has been a member of the Institut International de Philosophie in Paris.
From: Dr. Ladislav V. Hejdánek
Radhošťská 15 / 1645
130 00 Praha 3
c/o Evang.theol.fakulta UK Praha
fax: 24 22 65 66
To: Mr. Horstkamp / pí Hana Palová
fax: 32 42 76
Page 1
Ladislav V. Hejdánek – biography in short:
1927 (10.5.) born in Prague
1933–38 primary school (5 years) (Prague)
1938–46 secondary school (8 years) (Prague)
1946 leaving examination (may, Prague), then: Faculty of Natural Sciences, Charles´ University, Prague (mathematics, philosophy of natural sciences), beginning in September (altogether 4 semesters)
1947 Faculty of Philosophy, Charles´ University, Prague (philosophy, sociology, 8 Semesters)
1952 ends his studies (thesis: The Conception of Truth and Some of its Ontological Presuppositions), Doctor of Philosophy
1953–55 military service
1956–68 Documentation and Library Department, Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Prague (since 1957 chief of the department)
1968–70 Institute of Philosophy, Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences, Prague
1971–75 Památník národního písemnictví (Museum of National Literature), working as night watchman
1975–85 Stavby silnic a železnic (a building concern, Prague), working as a stoker
1985–89 a grant of the University of Amsterdam (originally for 2 years)
1987 honoris causa doctor of the University of Amsterdam
1987–89 retired, since 1990 reactivated
1990 (2.) habilitation on the Protestant Theological Faculty of the Charles´ University, Prague (the habilitation thesis has been written and presented in 1970, already; in 1992, it was published, together with further studies, under the title: "Filosofie a víra", i.e. "Philosophy and Faith")
1990 President of the "Jednota filosofická" (renewed society of Czech philosophers) since 1990 lecturing on both the Philosophical Faculty and the Protestant Theological Faculty of the Charles University, Prague
1992 ordinary professor (on both faculties)
1992 Chevallier des Arts et de la Litterature (French decoration)
1993 membership of: Institut International de Philosophie, Paris ("membre titulaire")