Hans Jonas was born in 1903 in Mönchengladbach (Germany). He received his Ph.D. in philosophy. Alerted by the danger of National emigrated to London. He participated in World War II a Jewish Brigade of the British army. Invited by McGill University in Montreal, emigrated to Canada, spending five years later taught at the New School for Social Research in New York. Winner of the 1987 Peace Prize of German Booksellers, Jonas continued his philosophical work until his death on February 5, 1993, the United States.