Several of Rousseau＇s critics begin with the presupposition that his writings are inconsistent or incoherent ann proceed to locate the ＂essence＂ of his philosophy in some of his writings while excluding others. Ern...Several of Rousseau＇s critics begin with the presupposition that his writings are inconsistent or incoherent ann proceed to locate the ＂essence＂ of his philosophy in some of his writings while excluding others. Ernst Cassirer is among the few philosophers who have attempted to defend Rousseau＇s claim to consistency. Despite its broad influence, Cassirer＇s interpretation has remained largely unchallenged. The aim of this paper is twofold. Firstly, it aims to show that Cassirer＇s interpretation undermines （1） the important role Rousseau assigns to pity in both the state of nature and civil society and （2） the significant role the general will plays in his political theory. Secondly, it proposes an alternative interpretation that succeeds in uniting Rousseau＇s opus.展开更多
The ＂Tree of Death＂ is a metaphor I use to unlock my Christian assumptions on how the dead attain eternal existence in the afterlife state. The tree＇s unconcealedness, in this life and presumably the next, along wi...The ＂Tree of Death＂ is a metaphor I use to unlock my Christian assumptions on how the dead attain eternal existence in the afterlife state. The tree＇s unconcealedness, in this life and presumably the next, along with the moral habits an agent develops in this life explain the obstinacy of the dead, that is, how the agent＇s irrevocable decision to side with the God of Abraham, or not, is possible. For that to be the case, the existential relationships that generate personal identity in this life must accompany （individuate） the subject in the next life. In Christian philosophy, the person-making process mirrors the relationships of the Blessed Trinity. While Martin Heidegger is not a Christian philosopher, his view on truth and being＇s unconcealedness provides a useful piece of the argument to continue the Thomistic case for personal immortality. Heidegger is not a catholic philosopher, but the focus he places on being＇s unconcealedness is consonant with the focus Thomas Aquinas puts on the intelligibility of being. While Heidegger＇s discussion of being is rooted in Dasein＇s finitude, the Thomistic interpretation of being situates unconcealedness within the perspective of God＇s creative act. His vision resets the possibility of applying Heidegger＇s fundamental ontology beyond temporality. The paper develops through a discussion of the Tree＇s ＂branches, trunk, and roots＂ to conclude that the Christian perspective transforms Heidegger＇s view of death into ＂the ultimate possibility of possibility.＂展开更多
文摘Several of Rousseau＇s critics begin with the presupposition that his writings are inconsistent or incoherent ann proceed to locate the ＂essence＂ of his philosophy in some of his writings while excluding others. Ernst Cassirer is among the few philosophers who have attempted to defend Rousseau＇s claim to consistency. Despite its broad influence, Cassirer＇s interpretation has remained largely unchallenged. The aim of this paper is twofold. Firstly, it aims to show that Cassirer＇s interpretation undermines （1） the important role Rousseau assigns to pity in both the state of nature and civil society and （2） the significant role the general will plays in his political theory. Secondly, it proposes an alternative interpretation that succeeds in uniting Rousseau＇s opus.
文摘The ＂Tree of Death＂ is a metaphor I use to unlock my Christian assumptions on how the dead attain eternal existence in the afterlife state. The tree＇s unconcealedness, in this life and presumably the next, along with the moral habits an agent develops in this life explain the obstinacy of the dead, that is, how the agent＇s irrevocable decision to side with the God of Abraham, or not, is possible. For that to be the case, the existential relationships that generate personal identity in this life must accompany （individuate） the subject in the next life. In Christian philosophy, the person-making process mirrors the relationships of the Blessed Trinity. While Martin Heidegger is not a Christian philosopher, his view on truth and being＇s unconcealedness provides a useful piece of the argument to continue the Thomistic case for personal immortality. Heidegger is not a catholic philosopher, but the focus he places on being＇s unconcealedness is consonant with the focus Thomas Aquinas puts on the intelligibility of being. While Heidegger＇s discussion of being is rooted in Dasein＇s finitude, the Thomistic interpretation of being situates unconcealedness within the perspective of God＇s creative act. His vision resets the possibility of applying Heidegger＇s fundamental ontology beyond temporality. The paper develops through a discussion of the Tree＇s ＂branches, trunk, and roots＂ to conclude that the Christian perspective transforms Heidegger＇s view of death into ＂the ultimate possibility of possibility.＂
