Theory of Objective Mind: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Culture (Volume 25)

by Hans Freyer, Steven Grosby (Contributor)

Theory of Objective Mind is the first book of the important German social philosopher Hans Freyer to appear in English. The work of the neo-Hegelian Freyer, especially the much admired Theory of Objective Mind (1923), had a notable influence on German thinkers to follow and on America’s two greatest social theorists, Talcott Parsons and Edward Shils. Freyer took what remained valid in G. F. Hegel’s work and drew upon the subsequent insights of the early work of Edmund Husserl in an effort to understand the nature of culture by clarifying methodologically the process of Verstehen, the relation between life and objectivated form and the formation of the historical world as described by Wilhelm Dilthey and especially Georg Simmel. Theory of Objective Mind remains a thought-provoking source of insight into the nature of human cognition and action, and necessarily of culture itself. Indeed, its pressing relevance for social philosophy today is clear from its analysis of nationality as a form of objective mind. No less relevant are its valuable analyses of creativity, tradition, and revolution as philosophical problems. For all those who seek to understand culture not just historically or sociologically but above all philosophically, Theory of Objective Mind is indispensable.

Genres: Philosophy, Sociology

192 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1999

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[noblethumos · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Theory of Objective Mind" is a book written by German philosopher and sociologist Hans Freyer and published in 1923. The book is a critique of idealist and subjective philosophies, and presents Freyer's own theory of objective mind.

Freyer argues that the subjective approach to philosophy, which places emphasis on individual consciousness and experience, is limited in its ability to understand social phenomena. Instead, Freyer proposes an objective approach to philosophy that takes into account the social and historical context in which individuals live and work.

Freyer's theory of objective mind emphasizes the importance of social structures and institutions in shaping individual consciousness and behavior. He argues that individuals are not purely rational actors, but are influenced by a range of social and cultural factors that shape their perceptions and actions.

"Theory of Objective Mind" was a significant contribution to the development of German sociological thought in the early 20th century, and helped to shape debates about the nature of society and the role of the individual within it. Freyer's emphasis on the importance of social structures and institutions in shaping individual behavior was influential in the development of later sociological theories, including structural functionalism and critical theory.

GPT