Overview

This study – the first full-length monograph in English on the subject – discusses the genesis of Theodor Lessing’s philosophy of history as mainly expressed in his books Geschichte als Sinngebung des Sinnlosen (1919 and 1927), as well as its philosophical implications. Lessing on the one hand vehemently denies that historians can know the past as it actually happened. On the other hand, and rather surprisingly, he emphasizes the exceptional importance of history within a culture, because of what he calls its religious function. His penetrating analysis of history is remarkably relevant for ongoing debates on the very nature of history.

Full Product Details

Author:   Herman Simissen
Publisher:   Brill
Imprint:   Brill
Volume:   38
Dimensions:   Width: 15.50cm , Height: 2.90cm , Length: 23.50cm
Weight:   0.739kg
ISBN:  

9789004464766

ISBN 10:   900446476
Pages:   368
Publication Date:   12 May 2021
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Manufactured on demand  
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Table of Contents

Preface Abbreviations 1 Introduction 1 A Philosopher and His Reputation 2 Historiography 3 Approach and Aims 2 'Ein Aus Eignem Blut Gereiften Weltsystem' 1 Childhood and Schooldays 2 Wandering Years, and Back to Hanover 3 Turning for Philosophy 4 Philosophy of Need: Notes towards a Reconstruction 3 'Et Si Omnes, Non Ego' 1 The Spirit of 1914 2 German Intellectuals and the Spirit of 1914 3 Justifying the War Historically 4 Theodor Lessing on the Great War 4 'Aber Wir Benoetigen Geschichte, Um Geschichte Zu Machen' 1 Preliminary Observations on History 2 Lessing's Critique of Historical Reason 3 Epistemological Questions 4 Psychological Questions 5 History as an Ideal 6 Conclusion 5 'Den Fruheren Auflagen Gegenuber Ein Voellig Neues Werk' 1 What is History? 2 Historian of Hanover 3 Reply to His Critics 4 A New Light on His Own Writings 5 Pre-logical Reflections 6 Logical Reflections 7 Para-logical Reflections 6 'Es Wird Zum Denken Anregen' 1 Geschichte als Sinngebung des Sinnlosen Reviewed 2 Lessing's Philosophy of History Discussed Conclusion Bibliography Index

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Author Information

Herman Simissen, Ph.D. (2018, Open Universiteit Nederland), is assistant-professor of cultural sciences at that university. As editor of the Dutch language journal Streven he published on a variety of subjects in history, philosophy, contemporary Dutch literature, and classical music.

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