German Philosophy and the First World War

The book explores how the First World War impacted the development of German philosophy by examining the works of ten significant wartime philosophers. It demonstrates how the conflict was a crucible for new ways of thinking that still define us today.

Format: Hardback
Length: 382 pages
Publication date: 20 April 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

The First World War, often referred to as the "Great War," held immense significance in shaping the development of German philosophy. Combining historical analysis with biographical insights, Nicolas de Warren delves into the intellectual journeys of ten prominent wartime philosophers: Ernst Bloch, Martin Buber, Ernst Cassirer, Hermann Cohen, György Lukács, Martin Heidegger, Edmund Husserl, Franz Rosenzweig, Max Scheler, and Georg Simmel. Through a meticulous examination of their individual works produced during and after the war, the author uncovers how philosophical concepts and innovative forms of thinking emerged in response to the unprecedented catastrophe. By challenging conventional narratives of German thought, the book offers a profound exploration of the intricate and complex relationship between philosophy and violence. It demonstrates how the 1914-18 conflict served as a crucible for ways of thinking that continue to influence us today, enriching our understanding of this pivotal period in intellectual history.

Weight: 800g
Dimension: 162 x 238 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108423496