The Tragedy of European Civilization
Subtitle: Towards an Intellectual History of the Twentieth Century
By: Harry Redner
Edition: First edition.
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Published: 2017
Place of publication: London
Language: eng
Number of pages: 282
ISBN-13: 9781351295727
Subjects: Modern Philosophy; Intellectual life; Civilization; Philosophie; Vie intellectuelle; Civilisation
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."--Provided by publisher.
Table of contents: title: Part, I Masters of Social Science  -- Harry Redner; title: chapter Introduction to Part I  -- Harry Redner; title: chapter 1 Marx: The Romance of Revolution  -- Harry Redner; title: chapter 2 Weber: The State, Science, and the University  -- Harry Redner; title: chapter 3 Freud and Elias: The Civilizing Process  -- Harry Redner; title: part, II Untergangsters of History and Philosophy  -- Harry Redner; title: chapter Introduction to Part II  -- Harry Redner; title: chapter 4 Spengler: Cultural Pessimism and Anti-Semitism  -- Harry Redner; title: chapter 5 Heidegger and Wittgenstein: Two Philosophers at Odds and Evens  -- Harry Redner; title: chapter 6 Hannah Arendt: The Politics of Metaphysical Despair  -- Harry Redner; title: part, III Critics of Culture, Society, and Science  -- Harry Redner; title: chapter Introduction to Part III  -- Harry Redner; title: chapter 7 Nietzsche: The Prophet of Nihilism  -- Harry Redner; title: chapter 8 Foucault: Death and Resurrection of the Subject -- Harry Redner.