Edith Stein's Life in a Jewish Family, 1891-1916: A Companion

Edith Steins Life in a Jewish Family,1891–1916 is a valuable resource for understanding her youth, approach to writing autobiographically, and relationship with historical influences. Joyce Avrech Berkman argues that Stein's consciousness was shaped by a philosophical and spiritual struggle between upholding traditional values and critiquing them to pioneer new patterns of thought.

Format: Hardback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 15 June 2023
Publisher: Lexington Books

Edith Stein's Life in a Jewish Family,1891–1916, is a rich source of information about her youth and early adulthood, her approach to writing autobiographically, and her complex relationship with the historical influences of her time and place. By conducting an in-depth historical analysis of Stein's achievement as a unique type of autobiography, Joyce Avrech Berkman argues that a central axis of Stein's consciousness, values, philosophical ideas, and life choices revolves around a profound, intense, and unresolved philosophical and spiritual struggle. This struggle involves both the preservation of traditional societal and cultural values and practices and the critique of these values and practices in order to pioneer new patterns of thought. Berkman further explores the highly controversial nature of Stein's autobiography for her family members and Stein scholars in the decades following her death.

Edith Stein's Life in a Jewish Family,1891–1916: A Companion is a valuable resource for scholars in autobiographical studies, history, philosophy, and theology, as well as for a broader audience interested in Stein's life for religious and cultural reasons. The book provides a comprehensive guide to Stein's life, covering her childhood, education, and intellectual development. It also explores her relationships with her family, friends, and mentors, as well as her contributions to philosophy, psychology, and religious thought.

One of the key themes in Berkman's analysis is Stein's commitment to preserving traditional Jewish values and practices while also engaging in critical self-reflection and questioning. Stein was deeply influenced by her Jewish upbringing and her understanding of the Talmud, but she also sought to expand her intellectual horizons and explore other philosophical and religious traditions. This dual commitment to tradition and innovation is evident in her writings, which often blend traditional Jewish wisdom with modern philosophical and scientific ideas.

Another important aspect of Berkman's study is her exploration of Stein's approach to writing autobiographically. Stein's Life in a Jewish Family is a highly personal and introspective account of her life, and she often used her writing to explore her own thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Berkman argues that Stein's autobiographical writing was influenced by her philosophical and spiritual struggles, as well as by her desire to communicate her ideas to a broader audience. Stein's Life in a Jewish Family is a valuable contribution to the study of Edith Stein and her intellectual legacy. It provides a comprehensive and nuanced account of Stein's life and work, and it sheds light on the complex relationship between tradition, innovation, and personal expression. The book will be of interest to scholars and students of philosophy, psychology, religious studies, and history, as well as to anyone who is interested in the life and thought of a remarkable and influential woman.

Weight: 422g
Dimension: 236 x 157 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781666912494