The Tragedy of European Civilization
Towards an Intellectual History of the Twentieth Century
1st Edition
Published on 30. October 2015
Book
Hardback
282 pages
978-1-4128-5711-6 (ISBN)
Description
The tragedy of European civilization is a protracted historical event spanning the twentieth century and in many ways is ongoing. During this time some of the greatest modern thinkers were active, producing works that both reflected what was happening in history and contributed towards shaping it. This work is a critique of their ideas. Harry Redner establishes where and how they went wrong, in some cases with apocalyptic consequences for Europe and the world.
The great intellectuals of the age, at once philosophers, sociologists, political theorists, historians and much else besides, include Marx, Weber, Freud, Elias, Spengler, Wittgenstein, Heidegger, Arendt, Nietzsche, and Foucault. All of them had a historical impact, even if only in molding academic disciplines and shaping of public opinion, as was the case with the philosophers Wittgenstein and Arendt.
This book explores the close links between anti-Semitism and cultural pessimism and the relation between psychology and sociology. Other themes range from the history and theory of the state, to the misconception of language and power. Suitable for students of sociology, philosophy, political theory, history, and cultural studies, this brilliant exploration of our civilization and its tragedies will also be of interest to intellectual general readers.
The great intellectuals of the age, at once philosophers, sociologists, political theorists, historians and much else besides, include Marx, Weber, Freud, Elias, Spengler, Wittgenstein, Heidegger, Arendt, Nietzsche, and Foucault. All of them had a historical impact, even if only in molding academic disciplines and shaping of public opinion, as was the case with the philosophers Wittgenstein and Arendt.
This book explores the close links between anti-Semitism and cultural pessimism and the relation between psychology and sociology. Other themes range from the history and theory of the state, to the misconception of language and power. Suitable for students of sociology, philosophy, political theory, history, and cultural studies, this brilliant exploration of our civilization and its tragedies will also be of interest to intellectual general readers.
Reviews / Votes
"If one puts this book in the context of the full four-volume study, it amounts to an extraordinary achievement, involving years of reading and reflection and covering an enormous amount of ground." - Professor Krishan Kumar, University of Virginia, USAMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Inc
Target group
College/higher education
Product notice
sewn/stitched
Cloth over boards
Dimensions
Height: 236 mm
Width: 158 mm
Thickness: 25 mm
Weight
521 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4128-5711-6 (9781412857116)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Harry Redner
The Tragedy of European Civilization
Towards an Intellectual History of the Twentieth Century
Book
12/2020
1st Edition
Routledge
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Harry Redner
The Tragedy of European Civilization
Towards an Intellectual History of the Twentieth Century
E-Book
09/2017
Routledge
€60.99
Available for download
Harry Redner
The Tragedy of European Civilization
Towards an Intellectual History of the Twentieth Century
E-Book
09/2017
Routledge
€60.99
Available for download
Person
Harry Redner
Content
Acknowledgements
Preface
Part I: Masters of Social Science
Introduction to Part I
1 Marx: The Romance of Revolution
Section I-History as Drama
Section II-Political Representation
Section III-Enter Weber
Section IV-Representation of Representation
2 Weber: The State, Science, and the University
Section I-Anticipations of Totalitarianism
Section II-History and Theory of the State
Section III-Science and Technology
3 Freud and Elias: The Civilizing Process
Section I-Freud's Discontents with Civilization
Section II-Elias' Manners
Section III-Elias' State
Part II: Untergangsters of History and Philosophy
Introduction to Part II 103
4 Spengler: Cultural Pessimism and Anti-Semitism
Section I-Kultur and Zivilization
Section II-The Invention of the Magian
Section III-Caesar ex Machina
5 Heidegger and Wittgenstein: Two Philosophers at Odds and Evens
Section I-Heidegger, Wittgenstein, and Spengler
Section II-Heidegger, Wittgenstein, and Anti-Semitism
Section III-Wittgenstein on Language and Mind
Section IV-Wittgenstein on Mathematics
Section V-Heidegger's Seinsgeschichte
6 Hannah Arendt: The Politics of Metaphysical Despair
Section I-Arendt and Heidegger
Section II-Arendt on Totalitarianism
Part III: Critics of Culture, Society, and Science
Introduction to Part III
7 Nietzsche: The Prophet of Nihilism
Section I-Eschatology of History
Section II-The Will to Power
Section III-Truth, Knowledge, and Reason as Power
8 Foucault: Death and Resurrection of the Subject
Section I-Foucault and Nietzsche
Section II-Foucault and the Death of Man
Epilogue
Index
Preface
Part I: Masters of Social Science
Introduction to Part I
1 Marx: The Romance of Revolution
Section I-History as Drama
Section II-Political Representation
Section III-Enter Weber
Section IV-Representation of Representation
2 Weber: The State, Science, and the University
Section I-Anticipations of Totalitarianism
Section II-History and Theory of the State
Section III-Science and Technology
3 Freud and Elias: The Civilizing Process
Section I-Freud's Discontents with Civilization
Section II-Elias' Manners
Section III-Elias' State
Part II: Untergangsters of History and Philosophy
Introduction to Part II 103
4 Spengler: Cultural Pessimism and Anti-Semitism
Section I-Kultur and Zivilization
Section II-The Invention of the Magian
Section III-Caesar ex Machina
5 Heidegger and Wittgenstein: Two Philosophers at Odds and Evens
Section I-Heidegger, Wittgenstein, and Spengler
Section II-Heidegger, Wittgenstein, and Anti-Semitism
Section III-Wittgenstein on Language and Mind
Section IV-Wittgenstein on Mathematics
Section V-Heidegger's Seinsgeschichte
6 Hannah Arendt: The Politics of Metaphysical Despair
Section I-Arendt and Heidegger
Section II-Arendt on Totalitarianism
Part III: Critics of Culture, Society, and Science
Introduction to Part III
7 Nietzsche: The Prophet of Nihilism
Section I-Eschatology of History
Section II-The Will to Power
Section III-Truth, Knowledge, and Reason as Power
8 Foucault: Death and Resurrection of the Subject
Section I-Foucault and Nietzsche
Section II-Foucault and the Death of Man
Epilogue
Index