Eclipse of God: Studies in the Relation Between Religion and Philosophy

Description

"Biblical in origin, the expression "eclipse of God" refers to the Jewish concept of 'hester panim', the act of God concealing his face as a way of punishing his disobedient subjects. Though this idea is deeply troubling for many people, in this book Martin Buber uses the expression hopefully — for a hiding God is also a God who can be found. First published in 1952, 'Eclipse of God' is a collection of nine essays concerning the relationship between religion and philosophy. The book features Buber's critique of the thematically interconnected—yet diverse—perspectives of Søren Kierkegaard, Hermann Cohen, C. G. Jung, Martin Heidegger, and other prominent modern thinkers. Buber deconstructs their philosophical conceptions of God and explains why religion needs philosophy to interpret what is authentic in spiritual encounters. He elucidates the religious implications of the I-Thou, or dialogical relationship, and explains how the exclusive focus on scientific knowledge in the modern world blocks the possibility of a personal relationship with God. Featuring a new introduction by Leora Batnitzky, 'Eclipse of God' offers a glimpse into the mind of one of the modern world's greatest Jewish thinkers."--Back cover.;Prelude: Report on two talks -- Religion and reality -- Religion and philosophy -- The love of God and the idea of deity -- Religioun and modern thinking -- Religion and ethics -- On the suspension of the ethical -- God and the spirit of man -- Supplement: Reply to C.G. Jung. Prelude: Report on two talks -- Religion and reality -- Religion and philosophy -- The love of God and the idea of deity -- Religioun and modern thinking -- Religion and ethics -- On the suspension of the ethical -- God and the spirit of man -- Supplement: Reply to C.G. Jung.