Journeys to Selfhood: Hegel and Kierkegaard (Perspectives in Continental Philosophy)

Taylor (humanities and religion, Williams College, Massachusetts) reconsiders the two philosophers based on the notion that all modern philosophy lies between the poles of their thought. He has added a new introduction to the 1980 original edition. "All modern philosophy", according to Mark C. Taylor, "is a footnote to Hegel". This endless footnote begins with Kierkegaard's critique of Hegel and extends through every major philosophical movement in the 20th century. Indeed, Hegel and Kierkegaard defines the poles between which all significant modern and post-modern and theology have been suspended. While theology in the recent decades has been characterized by a shift from the Kierkegaardianism of neo-orthodoxy to the Hegelianism of the death of God theology, philosophy has moved from the Hegelianism implicit in phenomenology and structuralism to a version of deconstruction and post-structuralism that is increasingly Kierkegaardian. In the years since its initial publication, the prescience of Taylor's classic study of Hegel and Kierkegaard has become increasingly evident. By establishing a creative dialogue between Hegel and Kierkegaard, Journeys to Selfhood both charts the historical background of philosophy in this century and identifies important issues that still merit serious discussion. At a time when critical debate has reached an impasse, Taylor's reconsideration of Hegel and Kierkegaard suggests new possibilities for constructive reflection. "As we move in the 21st century", Taylor concludes, "we must not only learn to think differently but must also rethink systems and structures that allow for integration and reconciliation without exclusion or repression. Though his answers that allow for integration and reconciliation without exclusion or repression. Though his answers are not completely adequate, as we take up these critical questions, Hegel once again emerges as a 'trustworthy guide.'" If, as Derrida insists, "wewill never be finished with the reading and rereading of Hegel", then it is time to reread Journeys to Selfhood as if for the first time". "In the years since its initial publication, the prescience of Taylor's classic study of Hegel and Kierkegaard has become increasingly evident. By establishing a creative dialogue between Hegel and Kierkegaard, Journeys to Selfhood both charts the historical background of philosophy in this century and identifies important issues that still merit serious discussion. At a time when critical debate has reached an impasse, Taylor's reconsideration of Hegel and Kierkegaard suggests new possibilities for constructive reflection."--BOOK JACKET. 0_Frontmatter 1_Returnings_page_ix 2_1_CONCLUDING_PREFACE_page_1 3_2_SPIRITLESSNESS_OF_THE_AGE_page_23 4_3_AESTHETIC_EDUCATION_page_71 5_4_CHRISTIANITY_AND_SELFHOOD_page_105 6_5_STRUCTURES_OF_SPIRIT_page_141 7_6_WAYFARING_page_181 8_7_PREFATORY_CONCLUSION_page_263 9_Bibliography_page_277 10_Index_page_291 Originally published: Berkeley : University of California Press, c1980. With new introd.