Christopher Jacob Boström

Boström: oil paining by C.J. Hällström, 1892

Christopher Jacob Boström (January 1, 1797, Piteå, Norrbotten – March 22, 1866, Uppsala) was a Swedish philosopher, regarded by some^[who?] as Sweden's greatest. His ideas dominated Swedish philosophy until the beginning of the twentieth century.^[1] He also had a great influence on Swedish cultural life.^{[citation needed]}

Biography

As a student he briefly studied theology, and religion remained his primary interest throughout his life.^[1]

Most of his life was spent teaching at Uppsala University, where he received the appointment in 1838 of adjunct professor of philosophy and from 1840-63 was professor of practical philosophy.^[2] For four years, he tutored the royal family in Stockholm.^[1] There he was charged with the education of the crown prince,^{[citation needed]} later Oscar II of Sweden.

Philosophy

According to Richard Falckenberg, he was “the most important systematic thinker of his country.” His philosophy, that of “rational idealism” as he termed it, exercised great influence in Sweden.^[2]

Reality is presented only as spiritual: God as an absolute, self-conscious unity, in which all living beings are eternally and unchangeably contained, according to degree. The highest aim of humanity should be the conduct and behavior according to reason in harmony with the Divine; that of the state, like the individual should exist solely in God, and in its most perfect form should consist in the harmonious obedience of all its members to a constitutional monarch; while ultimate perfection should be an all-embracing system of such states governed in obedience to Universal Reason.^[2]

Works

His major work was Philosophy of Religion.^[1] His writings, comparatively few in number, edited by Edfelt, were published at Upsala in 1883.^[2]

Family

He was the paternal uncle of Erik Gustaf Boström.^{[citation needed]}

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d} Book review of Philosophy of Religion by Christopher Jacob Bostrom, trans. Victor E. Beck and Robert N. Beck. The Philosophical Quarterly, Vol. 14, No. 57. (Oct., 1964) p. 381.
2. ^ ^{a b c d}  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: "Boström, Christoffer Jacob". Encyclopedia Americana. 1920. 

Persondata
Name	Bostrom, Christopher Jacob
Alternative names
Short description	Swedish philosopher
Date of birth	January 1, 1797
Place of birth	Piteå, Norrbotten
Date of death	March 22, 1866
Place of death	Uppsala