Vianney Décarie

Vianney Décarie

Vianney Décarie, philosopher (born at Montréal 28 Nov 1917, died there 6 Sep 2009). He studied in Montréal and Paris, where he received the degree of Docteur d'État. He was a professor at the University of Montréal's Institute for Medieval Studies, and from 1967 to 1970 was head of the Philosophy Department. Very active in the university environment, he founded l'École Normale supérieure (1961-1965) and was a member of the University Council.

A specialist in Aristotelian thought, he published numerous studies, particularly a major monograph that contributed new insight on the interpretation of Aristotelian metaphysics by freeing it from the neo-scholastic context in which it was captive in the teaching of philosophy in French Canada (L'objet de la métaphysique selon Aristote, 1972). A translator of Aristotle's works, he published among others in collaboration with Renée Houde-Sauvé, Aristote. Éthique à Eudème. Introduction, traduction, notes et indices, 1978. He was named a member of the Royal Society of Canada in 1963, and appointed Officer to the Order of Canada in 1979. For several years, he was head of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO. The University of Montréal made him a Professor Emeritus in 1983.