Modern Philosophies of Human Nature: Their Emergence from Christian Thought

In: Martinus Nijhoff Philosophy Library 15

Abstract

1: Introduction -- The decline of Christianity as the key factor producing altered views of human nature; discussion of other views and delimitation of the scope of the coverage. -- 2: Unreason and Self-Destruction -- Augustine's pessimistic view of human nature and its influence, particularly on the reformation of the sixteenth century. -- 3: Reason and Self-Interest -- The more optimistic view of some scholastic philosophers and its development by metaphysical rationalism, British empiricism and Kant. -- 4: The Origins of Modernism -- Origins of the idea of the unconscious and of a philosophy based on consciousness; coverage of some writers who directly influenced the writings of Nietzsche, Freud, Heidegger and Sartre. -- 5: Nietzsche and Jaspers -- Nietzsche's emphasis on the overcoming of lower nature and the ruthlessness of creation; his use by Jaspers and others. -- 6: Freud and his Followers -- Freud's invention of psychoanalysis, his use of deep interpretation and extension of the stoic attitude; his influence on Reich, Marcuse, Fromm and Lacan. -- 7: Heidegger and Modern Metaphysics -- Heidegger's use of a metaphysics of consciousness and his neglect of lower nature; the extension of his ideas by Sartre, Merleau-Ponty and Baudrillard. -- 8: Conclusions -- Against excessive reliance on methodology; critique of post-structuralism; review of seven issues relating to human nature.