Maurice A. Natanson, a professor emeritus of philosophy who was renowned for his work in the fields of phenomenological philosophy and the philosophy of the social sciences, died of prostate cancer on Aug. 30 at his home in Santa Cruz, California. He was 71 years old.
Considered a leading American representative of the phenomenological movement in philosophy, Professor Natanson joined the Yale faculty in 1976, retiring in June 1995. He wrote numerous books on the works of prominent phenomenological philosophers, including "Edmund Husserl: Philosopher of Infinite Tasks," which won the National Book Award in 1973. Among his other works are "The Journeying Self: A Study in Philosophy and Social Role," "The Social Dynamics of George H. Mead," "Literature, Philosophy and the Social Sciences" and "Phenomenology, Role, and Reason: Essays on the Coherence and Deformation of Social Reality." He also edited the comprehensive volumes of "Phenomenology and the Social Sciences."
Professor Natanson was honored with the Yale College Prize for Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching in 1984. Prior to coming to Yale, he held teaching positions at the University of California at Santa Cruz, where he chaired the philosophy department, the University of North Carolina and the University of Houston.
Born in New York City on Nov. 26, 1924, Professor Natanson received a bachelor's degree from Lincoln Memorial University in 1945; a master's degree from New York University; his doctorate in philosophy from the University of Nebraska in 1950; and a Ph.D. in social science from the New School of Social Research in New York in 1953.
He is survived by his wife, Lois Lichenstein Natanson; two sons, Charles Natanson of Santa Cruz and Nicholas Natanson of Tacoma Park, Maryland; and a brother, Harvey Natanson of Brooklyn, New York. He was predeceased by a daughter, Kathy Natanson. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Caring Project, P.O. Box 670, Aptos, California 95001.