The tragedy of European civilization : towards an intellectual history of the twentieth century

Zusammenfassung: 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 toward 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. 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. -- Back cover

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• ISBN: 9781412857116 ; 1412857112 ; 9781412861892 ; 1412861896
• Dimensions: 24 cm
• Extent: xxiii, 257 Seiten
• Edition: First published
• Language: Englisch

Classification and Topics

• Keyword: Geistesgeschichte 1900-2000 ; Europa ; Europa

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (where): London, New York
• (who): Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group
• (when): 2015
• Creator: Redner, Harry

Further information

• Table of contents: Part I: Masters of social science -- 1. Marx: The romance of revolution -- History as drama -- Political representation -- Enter Weber -- Representation of representation -- 2. Weber: The state, science, and the university -- Anticipations of totalitarianism -- History and theory of the state -- Science and technology -- 3. Freud and Elias: The civilizing process -- Freud's discontents with civilization -- Elias' manners -- Elias' state -- Part II: Untergangsters of history and philosophy -- 4. Spengler: Cultural pessimism and anti-Semitism -- Kultur and Zivilization -- The invention of the Magian -- Caesar ex Machina -- 5. Heidegger and Wittgenstein: Two philosophers at odds and evens -- Heidegger, Wittgenstein, and Spengler -- Heidegger, Wittgenstein, and anti-semitism -- Wittgenstein on language and mind -- Wittgenstein on mathematics -- Heidegger's Seingeschichte -- 6. Hannah Arendt: The politics of metaphysical despair -- Arendt and Heidegger -- Arendt on totalitarianism -- Part III: Critics of culture, society, and science -- Introduction to Part III -- 7. Nietzsche: The prophet of Nihilism -- Eschatology of history -- The will to power -- Truth, knowledge, and reason as power -- 8. Foucault: Death and resurrection of the subject -- Foucault and Nietzsche -- Foucault and the Death of man
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• Last update: 11.03.2025, 12:11 PM CET