The Faith of a Heretic: Updated Edition

Walter A. Kaufmann

Published by Princeton University Press 2015

The Faith of a Heretic

Updated Edition

Walter A. Kaufmann
Preface by: Stanley Corngold

https://doi.org/10.1515/9781400866168

Overview
Contents

About this book

Originally published in 1959, The Faith of a Heretic is the most personal statement of the beliefs of Nietzsche biographer and translator Walter Kaufmann. A first-rate philosopher in his own right, Kaufmann here provides the fullest account of his views on religion. Although he considered himself a heretic, he was not immune to the wellsprings and impulses from which religion originates, declaring it among the most vital and radical expressions of the human mind. Beginning with an autobiographical prologue that traces his evolution from religious believer to "heretic," the book touches on theology, organized religion, morality, suffering, and death—all examined from the perspective of a "quest for honesty." Kaufmann also subjects philosophy's faith in truth, reason, and absolute morality to the same heretical treatment. The resulting exploration of the faiths of a nonbeliever in a secular age is as fresh and challenging as when it was first published.

In a new foreword, Stanley Corngold vividly describes the intellectual and biographical milieu of Kaufmann’s provocative book.

Author / Editor information

Walter Kaufmann (1921–1980) was the Stuart Professor of Philosophy at Princeton University, where he taught for more than thirty years. His many books include Nietzsche: Philosopher, Psychologist, Antichrist and Critique of Religion and Philosophy (both Princeton).

Reviews

The case against organized religion has seldom been so cogently put.

The book is a demonstration of Kaufmann's high spirits as well as his learning and cogency. He wants, he says, to make the reader feel his own faith is at stake, and whether that reader puts his faith in philosophy or popular religion, he will feel the sting of Kaufmann's wit.

An honest, uplifting, learned and highly readable argument against conformism. People who tend toward any conceivable form of heresy are likely to find it worth ten volumes of standard inspirational pap.

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	ix
Foreword Stanley Corngold Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	xi
Preface Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	xxvii
I. Prologue Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
II. The Quest for Honesty Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	14
III. Philosophy and Revolution Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	39
IV. Commitment Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	66
V. Against Theology Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	90
VI. Suffering and the Bible Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	137
VII. The Old Testament Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	170
VIII. Jesus vis- à- vis Paul, Luther, and Schweitzer Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	207
IX. Organized Religion Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	250
X. Morality Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	280
XI. Freud and the Tragic Virtues Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	332
XII. Death Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	355
XIII. Trilogue on Heaven, Love, and Peace Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	380
XIV. Epilogue Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	399
Bibliographical Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	411
Acknowledgments Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	419

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