Charles Malik

Background

Born in Bterram (Btourram), Lebanon.

Education

Malik was educated at the American Mission School for Boys, now Tripoli Evangelical School for Girls and Boys in Tripoli

Malik was educated at and the American University of Beirut, where he graduated with a degree in mathematics and physics. He moved on to Cairo in 1929, where he developed an interest in philosophy, which he proceeded to study at Harvard (under Alfred North Whitehead) and in Freiburg, Germany under Martin Heidegger in 1932. His stay in Germany, however, was short-lived. He found the policies of the Nazis unfavorable, and left soon after they came to power in 1933. In 1937, he received his Ph.D. in philosophy (based on the metaphysics in the philosophies of Whitehead and Heidegger) from Harvard University. He taught there as well as at other universities in the United States. After returning to Lebanon, Malik founded the Philosophy department at the American University of Beirut, as well as a cultural studies program (the 'civilization sequence program').

Career

President, United Nations General Assembly, 58-59. Professor of Philosophy, Amer University of Beirut since 1962. Professor, American University, Washington, District of Columbia, 1961-1962.

Foreign Minister, Lebanon, 1956-1958. Member of Parliament, Lebanon, 1957-1960. Minister of National Education, Lebanon, 5657.

Dean of Graduate Studies, Amer University, Beirut, 5560. Ambassador the United States, Washington, District of Columbia, 1945-1955. Chief Delegate, United Nations General Assembly, 1945-1954.

Member, United Nations Security Council, 1946-1949. Member, United Nations Economic and Social Council, 1946-1949. Member, United Nations Human Rights Commission, 1947-1954.

Signatory, United Nations Charter, 1945. Professor, Amer University, Beirut, 1937-1945. Al- Hilal Publishing House, Cairo, 1929-1932.

Instructor, Amer University, Beirut, 1927-1929.

Works

• article

  • The Challenge of Human Rights, Behind the Headlines (volume 9, northern 6, Toronto)

  • The Problem of Coexistence (Evanston, Illinois: Northwestern University Press)

  • God and Man in Contemporary Islamic Thought (Beirut: American University of Beirut)

• book

  • War and Peace (Stamford, CT: Overbrook Press)

  • The Challenge of Communism (hicago Council on Foreign Relations)

  • The Problem of Asia (Stamford, CN: Overbrook Press)

  • Man in the Struggle for Peace (New York: Harper & Row)

Views

Quotations: The fastest way to change society is to mobilize the women of the world

Membership

Amer Philosophical Association. International Law Association. Amer Academy Political & Social Sei.

National Geographic Society. Amer Society International Law. Amer Philosophical Society.

Association Mondiale de la Culture. Academy of Human Rights. Academy of Political Sei.

World Council of Churches and many others. Harvard Club, New York. Century Club, New York.

Cosmos Club, Washington, District of Columbia.

Interests

• Philosophy, theology, pol, international aff. Discussion groups, hiking, old Wedgwood china.

Connections

Father:

Habib Malik

Mother:

Zarifa Karam

Brother:

Ramzi Habib Malik

Prominent Catholic priest

Son:

Habib Malik

human rights activist