Focusing on Hans-Georg Gadamer's philosophy, the book explores education as a lifelong engagement with others and the world. It emphasizes the significance of prior learning while acknowledging the unpredictable nature of human understanding and the potential for new beginnings. Gadamer's experiences during two world wars shaped his perspectives, making him a key figure in discussions about a reunified Germany and the university's role in shaping European values and outlook.
This book explores key ideas in Hannah Arendt's work though a study of her friendships with contemporaries: Heidegger, Karl Jaspers, Heinrich Blucher and Mary McCarthy.
The book critiques the prevailing focus on economic efficiency and entrepreneurialism in higher education, suggesting that such priorities undermine academic excellence and public service. It highlights a deficiency in intellectual leadership among senior management and calls for academic professionals to take charge of their institutions' moral responsibilities. Rather than reverting to elitist ideals, it advocates for a more equitable university system that avoids early differentiation of students into varied institutional paths.
Exploring fundamental themes from Hannah Arendt's work, this book delves into the purpose of education. It examines the philosophical underpinnings of education, addressing its role in shaping individuals and society. Through Arendt's insights, the text invites readers to reconsider the objectives and implications of educational practices in contemporary contexts.
Literary Criticism, Historiography, Post-Colonial Theory and Beyond
Auerbach, a Jewish refugee in Istanbul during WWII, produced a significant literary work that explores the complexities of Western literature. His writing reflects on themes of exile, identity, and the human experience, drawing connections between various texts and historical contexts. The book serves as both a scholarly analysis and a personal testament to the challenges faced by those in displacement, making it a profound contribution to literary criticism and a poignant reflection on the impact of war on culture and literature.
What can contemporary activists and political theorists learn from the life and work of Rosa Luxemburg? Examining her contribution to radical democracy and revolutionary socialism, Jon Nixon shows why Red Rosa's legacy lives on. Luxemburg's political and intellectual formation was in itself a 'long revolution', conceived of over time and in response to world events; her groundbreaking ideas around internationalism and spontaneity were formulated in the context of revolution. Returning to her thinking on global capitalism, democratic renewal, state militarism, and the social question, Nixon draws out the enduring nature of her work, using her framework of ideas as a lens through which to view the contemporary debates.By establishing a rich and distinctive account of Luxemburg, Nixon makes the argument for why her struggle for democratic renewal is as relevant as ever.