Description
Book SynopsisKnow Thyself: An Essay in Social Personalism proposes that social Personalism can best provide for self-knowledge. In the West, self-knowledge has been sought within the framework of two dominant intellectual traditions, order and the emerging self. On the one hand, ancient and medieval philosophers living in an orderly hierarchical society, governed by honor and shame, and bolstered by the metaphysics of being and rationalism, believed persons gain self-knowledge through uniting with the ground of their being; once united they would understand what they are, what they are to be, and what they are to do. On the other hand, Renaissance and modern thinkers such as Pico della Mirandola, Copernicus, Descartes, Locke, and Kant shattered the great achievement of the high middle ages and bequeathed to posterity an emerging self in a splintered world. Continuing their search for self-knowledge, the moderns found themselves faced with the dualism of the emerging self of the Renaissance and the
Trade ReviewThe author develops his positions with assiduous care. He periodically recapitulates for clarity. Both specialists and simply curious persons will find the work a thought-provoking read. Readers will likely find the approach to persons richer than often seen in contemporary Anglophonic philosophy. The author also treats personalist themes in Trust, Our Second Nature (Lexington, 2009). * Review of Metaphysics *
The inscription 'know thyself' on the Greek temple at Delphi was the center of Socrates' philosophy and, to a great extent, the basis of all ancient philosophy. The importance of this dictum has been all but forgotten in the world of modern philosophy, with its emphasis on methods of logical analysis, deconstruction, hermeneutics, and post-modern perspectives. Professor Buford's revival of the philosophy of self-knowledge, as well as its connection to personalism, is a welcome event for those still concerned with philosophy as it has bearing on human life and the human condition. -- Donald Phillip Verene, Emory University
The project of American personalism is alive and well in the work of Tom Buford. He advances well beyond the thought of Bowne, Brightman, and Bertocci to offer a subtle understanding of personal and social life. The humane values he advocates engage both the intellect and our emotions. Reading this book is deeply instructive and an unmitigated pleasure. -- John Lachs, Vanderbilt University
Table of ContentsChapter 1: Gnothi Seauton and the Problem of Suspicion Chapter 2: Our Haunting Hopes Chapter 3: A New Master Image Chapter 4: Whole Persons and the Natural Chapter 5: Society and Culture Chapter 6: The Personal Chapter 7: Dancing Chapter 8: Broken Dances
