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(More customer reviews)The Princeton philospher was not noted for original thought, unlike other more well known 20th century philosophers such as Russell, Wittgenstein and Sartre. However, what he was good at was being a sort of philosophical "critic." Kaufmann was a very erudite man who wrote lots of great stuff on the arts, history, literature and philosophy as well as the relationship that the three share with each other.
The present book details the infamous existential motif of art replacing religion as the representative of what is most sacred in the human spirit. Kaufmann writes about the joys and knowledge that are offered by great tragedies and the dark poetry of writers such as Rilke.
Kaufmann also does a credible job of critiquing several philosophers, historians and literary figures. Among the people he discusses are Goethe, Shakespeare, Nietzsche, Rilke and Hegel. Particularly interesting is his napalming of Heidegger. I have always thought Heidegger was over-rated & Kaufmann's comical (although valid) tirades were quite refreshing.
Kaufmann ends with a compelling critique of the historian Arnold Toynbee, insisting that Toynbee's attempt to be both poet and historian calls into question the veracity of his exegesis of the facts of history.
This is a great book for anyone who is interested in philosophy & the arts since the time of Shakespeare. This book is especially for people interested in 20th century philosophy & those who ponder its future trajectory.
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