Interrogating the Tradition: Hermeneutics & the History of Philosophy

by John Sallis (Editor), Charles E. Scott (Editor)

Interrogating the Tradition interprets figures in the history of Western thought from a broad, "continental" perspective. Divided into three major sections - hermeneutical thought, Heidegger and the Greeks, and the question of nature in German Idealism - the question of origins is central throughout and takes various shapes, all within the context of the history of Western philosophy. Addressed are the form inquiries take into manners by which we receive our philosophical tradition, the originary force of Plato and Aristotle in the formation of philosophical interpretations of time and human life, and inceptional concepts of nature in the nineteenth century.

311 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

John Sallis was an American philosopher well known for his work in the tradition of phenomenology. From 2005 until his death, he was the Frederick J. Adelmann Professor of Philosophy at Boston College. He previously taught at Pennsylvania State University (1996–2005), Vanderbilt University (1990–1995), Loyola University of Chicago (1983–1990), Duquesne University (1966–1983) and the University of the South (1964–1966).

Reviews

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the chapter on Dilthey. It was a very interesting analysis which brought to light one of the major problems of post-Hegelian Lebenswelt - that of metaphysics and it’s relationship to life; ‘life’ considered as a serious philosophical question. I will read the chapter on Kant’s Aesthetics by Gasche as soon as possible, because I know *very* little of the Third Critique. I always try to leave a recommendation in these reviews. In this one: read Kant, read about Kant, really understand him. Whether you agree with his conclusions or methods is beside the point; if you really want to understand philosophy after Kant you really have to learn about Kant. His “Copernican Revolution” made him the sun by which all subsequent Occidental philosophy orbits around.