
Albert Schweitzer maintained that the idea of "Reverence for Life" came upon him on the Ogowe River as an "unexpected discovery, like a revelation in the midst of intense thought." While Schweitzer made numerous significant contributions to an incredible diversity of fields - medicine, music, biblical studies, philosophy and theology - he regarded Reverence for Life as his greatest contribution and the one by which he most wanted to be remembered. Yet this concept has been the subject of a range of distortions and misunderstandings, both academic and popular. In this book, Ara Barsam provides a new interpretation of Schweitzer's reverence and shows how it emerged from his studies of German philosophy, Indian religions, and his biblical scholarship on Jesus and Paul.By throwing light on the origin and development of Schweitzer's thought, Barsam leads his readers to a closer appreciation of the contribution that reverence makes to current ethical issues. Whereas previous commentators have focused on "reverence for life" as a philosophical ethic located in that tradition, this book demonstrates that it is in fact Schweitzer's theology that provides the hitherto undiscerned foundation for his ethic. Even among those who herald Schweitzer as the one who brought "reverence" to Christianity, there exists a tendency to underemphasize how his thinking also developed from his pivotal encounter with Indian religions. As Barsam shows, it is impossible to grasp the nature and the significance of Barsam's contribution without addressing that link.Life-centered ethics - in the broadest sense - have continued to flourish, yet Schweitzer's pioneering contribution is often overlooked. Not only did he help establish the issue on the moral agenda, but, most significant, he also provided much sought after philosophical and theological foundations. Schweitzer emerges from this critical study of his life and thought as a remarkable individual who should rightfully be regarded as a moral g
This book investigates the theological foundations of Albert Schweitzer’s concept of 'Reverence for Life' to clarify its origins and address common misinterpretations. Ara Paul Barsam, a scholar of Schweitzer’s work, argues that previous analyses have overly focused on the philosophical aspects of the ethic while neglecting the critical role of Schweitzer’s theological framework. By tracing the development of this thought through German philosophy, Indian religious traditions, and biblical scholarship, the author presents a comprehensive re-evaluation of Schweitzer’s moral contribution.
What You Will Find
Scope Limits
Scholars and students of ethics frequently cite this work for its ability to bridge the gap between Schweitzer’s theological background and his philosophical output. Experts highlight this as a necessary text for those seeking to understand the intellectual origins of modern life-centered ethical frameworks.
Page Count:
196
Publication Date:
2008-01-01
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0190450150
ISBN-13:
9780190450151
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