Transformation of the self in the thought of Friedrich Schleiermacher

The work of German theologian Friedrich Schleiermacher (17681834) has played a key role in the development of Protestant thought. Despite the importance of Schleiermacher's ethical theory, it has received little attention in the English-speaking world. Jacqueline Mariña's book offers a corrective to this neglect, inviting philosophers and theologians to reassess his work and influence and the relevance of his thought to contemporary debates concerning the relation of religion and morality.Mariña begins by acknowledging Schleiermacher's early struggle to come to terms with Kant's practical philosophy, and his changing approach to Spinozism. Moving on to analyse the mature writings, Mariña engages with Schleiermacher's ideas on the moral transformation of the self, firstly in regard to the self-consciousness of the individual vis-à-vis his community, and secondly in regard to the philosophical problem of religious pluralism. Often referred to as the father of modern theology, F.D.E. Schleiermacher occasioned a revolution in theology having a decisive impact on all subsequent theology. In this original study, Jacqueline Mariña argues that Schleiermachers philosophical ethics constitutes a completely original project, and is arguably his most important achievement. Mariña examines Schleiermachers claim that the self relates to the whence of all that is through the ground of self-consciousness, and shows how this understanding allowed him to develop a philosophical system integrally linking religion and ethics. Because this whence relates to self-consciousness in the way of a formal cause, the most important criteria for what constitutes genuine religion are the ethical fruits expressive of a proper relation to the divine. In Christian Faith Schleiermacher argues that insofar as the personal self-consciousness has been transformed through openness to this whence, the actions that arise from it, too, will be different from those of the former self. This book is an analysis of how Schleiermacher conceived of this transformation, the conditions of its possibility, and the nature of its effects. This is accomplished through an examination of his metaphysics of the self, especially Schleiermachers understanding of the immediate self-consciousness and its relation to the divine causality, the nature of self-consciousness and personal identity, the nature of agency, and the relation between self and society. This book demonstrates that Schleiermachers achievement offers a compelling, live option for contemporary debates concerning the relation of religion and morality.

The work of German theologian Friedrich Schleiermacher (17681834) has played a key role in the development of Protestant thought. Despite the importance of Schleiermacher's ethical theory, it has received little attention in the English-speaking world. Jacqueline Mariña's book offers a corrective to this neglect, inviting philosophers and theologians to reassess his work and influence and the relevance of his thought to contemporary debates concerning the relation of religion and morality.

Mariña begins by acknowledging Schleiermacher's early struggle to come to terms with Kant's practical philosophy, and his changing approach to Spinozism. Moving on to analyse the mature writings, Mariña engages with Schleiermacher's ideas on the moral transformation of the self, firstly in regard to the self-consciousness of the individual vis-à-vis his community, and secondly in regard to the philosophical problem of religious pluralism.

Often referred to as the father of modern theology, F.D.E. Schleiermacher occasioned a revolution in theology having a decisive impact on all subsequent theology. In this original study, Jacqueline Mari--ntilde--;a argues that Schleiermachers philosophical ethics constitutes a completely original project, and is arguably his most important achievement. Mari--ntilde--;a examines Schleiermachers claim that the self relates to the whence of all that is through the ground of self-consciousness, and shows how this understanding allowed him to develop a philosophical system integrally linking religi The work of German theologian Friedrich Schleiermacher (1768-1834) has played a key role in the development of Protestant thought. Jacqueline Mariña highlights the relation of Schleiermacher's ideas on the moral transformation of the self to other thinkers and debates in the philosophy of religion The philosopher's stone -- The principle of individuation -- Personal identity -- The world is the mirror of the self -- The highest good -- Individual and community -- Transformation of the self through Christ -- Outpourings of the inner fire : experiential expressivism and religious pluralism