Charles P. Webel - Böcker

Distinguished scholars--Jurgen Habermas, Claus Offe, Douglas Kellner, and Martin Jay, among others--draw upon historical, theoretical, and biographical information to assess Marcuse's philosophy, from its grounding in classical German idealism, through the break with Heidegger, to his role in the American counterculture of the sixties and seventies. Indispensable for anyone interested in an in-depth understanding of one of the most burning issues of our time: the relation of critical theory to social action.

Distinguished scholars--Jurgen Habermas, Claus Offe, Douglas Kellner, and Martin Jay, among others--draw upon historical, theoretical, and biographical information to assess Marcuse's philosophy, from its grounding in classical German idealism, through the break with Heidegger, to his role in the American counterculture of the sixties and seventies. Indispensable for anyone interested in an in-depth understanding of one of the most burning issues of our time: the relation of critical theory to social action.

In The World as Idea Charles P. Webel presents an intellectual history of one of the most influential concepts known to humanity—that of "the world."Webel traces the development of "the world" through the past, depicting the history of the world as an intellectual construct from its roots in ancient creation myths of the cosmos, to contemporary speculations about multiverses. He simultaneously offers probing analyses and critiques of "the world as idea" from thinkers ranging from Plato, Aristotle, and St. Augustine in the Greco-Roman period to Kant, Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, Wittgenstein, Merleau-Ponty, and Derrida in modern times. While Webel mainly focuses on Occidental philosophical, theological, and cosmological notions of worldhood and worldliness, he also highlights important non-Western equivalents prominent in Islamic and Asian spiritual traditions. This ensures the book is a unique overview of what we all take for granted in our daily existence, but seldom if ever contemplate—the world as the uniquely meaningful environment for our lives in particular and for life on Earth in general.The World as Idea will be of great interest to those interested in the "world as idea," scholars in fields ranging from philosophy and intellectual history to political and social theory, and students studying philosophy, the history of ideas, and humanities courses, both general and specialized.

The Reality of This World analyzes one of the most influential concepts known to humanity—“the world”—focusing primarily on the material conditions of our existence. It is the companion to The World as Idea: A Conceptual History (Routledge, 2021). Together, the two volumes constitute “The Fate of This World and the Future of Humanity.”In this book, Charles P. Webel examines the theories and policies that have constructed the world as it is. He proposes strategies for transforming it into a more equitable and sustainable habitat both for humans and for the other species with whom we coexist on Earth. In doing so, he describes how the social and natural sciences, as well as philosophy and the humanities, have abetted our understanding of this world and explores why globalization and rationalization, as well as such “alternative realities” as digital and AI technologies, may simultaneously advance our collective well-being while also putting life on Earth at existential risk. In conclusion, Webel proposes political and other solutions to mitigate such risks.The Reality of This World will be of great interest to scholars in fields ranging from philosophy and intellectual history to political and social theory, as well as to students and a general public interested in understanding and transforming our world.

In The World as Idea Charles P. Webel presents an intellectual history of one of the most influential concepts known to humanity—that of "the world."Webel traces the development of "the world" through the past, depicting the history of the world as an intellectual construct from its roots in ancient creation myths of the cosmos, to contemporary speculations about multiverses. He simultaneously offers probing analyses and critiques of "the world as idea" from thinkers ranging from Plato, Aristotle, and St. Augustine in the Greco-Roman period to Kant, Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, Wittgenstein, Merleau-Ponty, and Derrida in modern times. While Webel mainly focuses on Occidental philosophical, theological, and cosmological notions of worldhood and worldliness, he also highlights important non-Western equivalents prominent in Islamic and Asian spiritual traditions. This ensures the book is a unique overview of what we all take for granted in our daily existence, but seldom if ever contemplate—the world as the uniquely meaningful environment for our lives in particular and for life on Earth in general.The World as Idea will be of great interest to those interested in the "world as idea," scholars in fields ranging from philosophy and intellectual history to political and social theory, and students studying philosophy, the history of ideas, and humanities courses, both general and specialized.