A critical review of gravitational wave theory is made. It is pointed out that the usual linear approach to the gravitational wave theory is neither conceptually consistent (...) nor mathematically justified. Relying upon that analysis it is argued that—analogously to a Yang-Mills propagating field, which must be nonlinear to carry its gauge charge—a gravitational wave must necessarily be nonlinear to transport its own charge—that is, energy-momentum. (shrink)

Adcock discusses Roman political ideas and practice from the beginnings to the time of Septimius Severus. There is very little in this volume which will seem new (...) or surprising to a reader who possesses a fair knowledge of Roman history.--K. H. (shrink)

Throughout this eclectic work in the Aristotelian-Thomistic tradition, Meyer displays an amazing breadth of knowledge; but his attempt to do justice to many different views frequently (...) class='Hi'>makes it impossible for him to make more than a few general remarks. Besides the traditional questions of metaphysics and philosophical anthropology, he discusses developments in modern physics, cosmology, biology, and psychology.--K. H. (shrink)

This expensively produced and well-illustrated little volume contains the unpublished writings in English of the father of Merz. Besides the expected whimsical poems, among them the (...) class='Hi'>English version of the famous Ur-Sonata the reader will find some touching prose sketches in which the poet describes his despair during the war years.--K. H. (shrink)

Strauss strives to restore to Machiavelli his evil reputation, pointing out that the originality of his work has to be sought not in the novelty of his (...) understanding of political phenomena, but rather in his acceptance of an image of man which stresses not the ideal in him but the base. Particularly interesting in this thorough study are the discussion of Machiavelli's attitude toward religion and the emphasis Strauss puts on Machiavelli's use of numbers as a key to his work.--K. H. (shrink)

The central theme of this volume is love, which conquers the rift between man and that which surrounds him. The meaning of human existence is sought in (...) the awareness of the same, incomprehensible divine presence in man and in the other. Although this work owes too much to Heidegger to stand as an original contribution, it is nevertheless well written and sincere.--K. H. (shrink)

Fujisawa in his plea for Shinto cosmic vitalism may indeed be right in thinking that Japanese thought has much to contribute to Western philosophy. But this has (...) to be supported by a far more searching and self-critical study than the author has provided.--K. H. (shrink)

This volume contains eight essays from the years 1933-1949. The first essays deal with ontology and categorial analysis. In the fifth essay Hartmann discussed temporality and (...) class='Hi'>substantiality. In the last essays he turns to man, meaning, and the worth of the individual.--K. H. (shrink)

A lucid account of Yoga. The interest of the author is descriptive; little attempt is made to present the reader with a ready evaluation. Yet Eliade has (...) succeeded in conveying a feeling for the many dimensions of the phenomenon and for its significance. Perhaps, after having finished the book, the reader may still not know how to assess Yoga, but the foundations have been laid from which one may fruitfully go on to further investigations. The appended bibliography is helpful.--K. H. (shrink)

Neher uses Moses as the focal point for a well written introduction to the Jewish faith, and he makes continuous references to the twentieth century. The volume (...) is well illustrated.--K. H. (shrink)

Bergler argues for the all-pervasiveness of a repressed psychic masochism. The argument is supported by a great wealth of clinical material. Nevertheless it seems doubtful whether (...) class='Hi'>this quite justifies the sweeping thesis. The writing is somewhat loose and the tone of Bergler's attack on his critics unfortunate.--K. H. (shrink)

Not only does Klemmt succeed in showing the importance of Reinhold as a key figure between Kant and Fichte, but he also establishes the originality of his (...) work; especially interesting is his analysis of Reinhold's philosophy of consciousness, which anticipated important tenets of phenomenology. To regard this study as merely historical would be a mistake, for it is an impressive attempt to investigate some of the fundamental principles of theoretical philosophy.--K. H. (shrink)

The author argues for a non-sensual reality, basing his arguments on parapsychology, a consideration of prophecies, and not quite digested aspects of modern scientific developments. As (...) class='Hi'>Hawley points out, his views may be those of the future; unfortunately his arguments will not make them so.--K. H. (shrink)

In this fascinating study van der Meulen undertakes to show that the Hegelian view of spirit and history is untenable. The critique is extended to Marx's (...) class='Hi'>theories. Throughout the work the Hegelian views are contrasted with the more dualistic position of Kant.--K. H. (shrink)

This brief study of the temptations of Jesus shows the author to be a powerful preacher. An extended sermon on man, as standing between the temptation of (...) the devil and an obedience to God.--K. H. (shrink)

An ambitious work. In a small volume the author attempts to sketch the outline of a metaphysical system, admitting however that the synthesis which bridges the gulf (...) between abstraction and reality must ultimately be found by each individual. In Foss's philosophy existentialism and philosophia perennis mingle, yielding a philosophy dominated by an all pervading, unifying love.--K. H. (shrink)

A sympathetic but critical examination of some of the presuppositions of Husserl's phenomenological program, leading to an exposition of their contradictory nature. In the light of (...) class='Hi'>this critique, Eley examines Husserl's view of the crisis of our age as rooted in the antithesis of life-world and technology. The book concludes with a demand for a reconstruction of the phenomenological program and a more searching examination of the crisis of our age. Exceptionally clear, the book prepares the ground for a more intelligent assessment of Husserl's phenomenology and for a better understanding of Heidegger's departure from the phenomenological program.--K. H. (shrink)

The author seeks to shed light on the changes in man from infant to adult. He rejects Freud's notion of the pleasure principle, arguing that the (...) class='Hi'>infant also turns to and enjoys the excitations of the world; on the other hand "ego psychology" is charged with neglecting the developmental factor. In going beyond these views Schachtel makes his contribution to a fuller understanding of the human situation. A clear and well-written book.--K. H. (shrink)

A very readable contribution to the history of ideas. A brief introductory discussion describes the change from a cyclical to the linear view of time. The main (...) part of the work analyzes the gradual rejection of the mosaic linear view and its replacement by an evolutionary conception.--K. H. (shrink)

In spite of, or perhaps because of the wealth of material found in this book, it makes a rather arid impression. One wishes for more structure and (...) a clearer statement of the author's own position. Kainz professes to "have patterned his aesthetics on the philosophical personalism of William Stern"; but other influences, such as that of phenomenology and Gestalt psychology, are also prominent. The great variety of views mentioned and discussed gives this book considerable value as a bibliographical guide to recent literature on aesthetics in German. Schueller's introduction is helpful in placing Kainz's position in a larger context.--K. H. (shrink)

The German version of The Origins of Totalitarianism is less concise than the original, but compensates for this by a greater wealth of examples and a beautiful, (...) almost poetic language rarely found in works of this nature. It includes a new chapter, "Ideologie und Terror, Eine neue Staatsform," replacing the "Concluding Remarks."--K. H. (shrink)

In this first volume of his work the author attempts to lay the foundations for an understanding of the sense of value by calling attention to a (...) teleological principle governing the evolutionary process. An attempt is made to apply this principle, gained from an analysis of organic structures, to modern art. A suggestive book which would have been better if it had taken into account more of the relevant philosophic literature.--K. H. (shrink)

Fink attempts to give an introduction to the problem of Being and appearance in the light of the philosophy of Husserl and Heidegger. There is very little (...) in this volume which is new; Fink's work is hampered by prolixity and by a difficult language which is opaque in spite of attempts to be poetic.--K. H. (shrink)

In this interpretation of the doctrine of grace in the Apostolic fathers Torrance sketches more generally their theology. This well-written study reflects a Protestant point of (...) class='Hi'>view.--K. H. (shrink)

As the title suggests, this book--the text of a lecture course given in 1935-1936--supplements the examination of Kant und das Problem der Metaphysik. The value (...) of this clearly-written study is twofold: on one hand it offers an interesting interpretation of Kant's discussion of the transcendental principles; and on the other hand, Heidegger's discussion of Kant's position in terms of the history which it presupposes effectively clarifies the historic roots of his own philosophy.--K. H. (shrink)

Himmerich gives a thorough statement of Plotinus' anthropology, placed in the wider context of his philosophy interpreted theistically. The work is concerned to show that the Plotinian (...) image of man, passing from the active life of youth to the wisdom of old age, is still viable today. Clear and intelligent.--K. H. (shrink)

In his study of Lichtenberg Stern presents us with a vivid picture of the eighteenth century physicist, astronomer, psychologist. Of special interest to the philosopher are Stern' (...) class='Hi'>s attempts to show that a certain world view finds its most apt expression in the aphorism. This is illustrated by pointing out parallels between Lichtenberg and Wittgenstein. A collection of Lichtenberg's aphorisms is given in the appendix.--K. H. (shrink)

The brevity of the book prevents it from being more than an introduction to some epistemological problems. As such it is useful; Schneider has succeeded in sketching (...) in a few pages an amazing number of different epistemological positions, paying some attention to modern scientific developments.--K. H. (shrink)

By means of an analysis of Nicolai Hartmann's thought, the author attempts to show that his and, indeed, all ontological projects are unable to develop criteria (...) class='Hi'>showing why a certain ontology should be preferred over another. The reason for this is sought in the "gnoseo-ontological circle"--the fact that all attempts to state such criteria already imply a commitment to a certain ontology. It is impossible to appeal beyond this circle. Consequently, the only remaining choice is between skepticism and the path which Heidegger has pointed out, a path which leads beyond all ontology. Bold though it is, the argument is developed with great clarity.--K. H. (shrink)

In this interesting book Schapp presents in a systematic way his philosophy of "stories." Man is to him a being caught inextricably in a net of stories; (...) philosophy attempts to show the place which these stories have in a universal story. The starting point of all philosophy has to be stories in which the individual finds himself. --K. H. (shrink)

Stressing the importance of Kant's revisions in the second edition of the Critique, the author advances the thesis that being-in-itself is determinable as a spontaneity (...) which determines the manifold in time. A well-written, stimulating, and highly speculative study of time and spontaneity in Kant's thought.--K. H. (shrink)

Equidistant from the analysts and the existentialists, the author attempts to analyze the nature of knowledge in the light of science, art, and morality. Mercier differentiates between (...) "judicial" and "essential" or "mystical" knowledge, both being genuine apprehensions of truth. The greater part of the study is concerned with the former which is discussed in its "discursive," "idealistic," "pragmatic," and "formal" aspects.--K. H. (shrink)

A clear, thorough, and suggestive study of causality, by one who has an intimate knowledge of both science and philosophy. In the first part the author discusses (...) different formulations of the causal principle and then proceeds to attack the empirical and the romantic views of causality. In the third part of the study the claims for the "linearity," "uni-directionality," "externality" of causality and the impossibility of novelty are critically analyzed. In the last part the author discusses the role of philosophy in modern science, particularly in physics, concluding that the causal principle is...a general hypothesis subsumed under the universal principle of determinacy, and having an approximate validity in its proper domain."--K. H. (shrink)

Written by a chemist, this is a stimulating book. Following somewhat the line taken by men like P. Jordan, Sausgruber argues that "Democritean," mechanistic principles cannot account (...) for life. This phenomenon forces us to look for a non-material spiritual element, which, the author believes, points to a supreme spirit.--K. H. (shrink)

A brilliant work which shows a thorough command of the relevant literature. His phenomenological method leads Krohn to irreducible norms which possess a certain coercive power, pointing (...) thus to a transempirical other in which they are rooted and which justifies our belief in them. The argument is introduced by a discussion of ethical negativism, naturalism, and subjectivism and develops through a consideration of classical ethics and its deepening through Christian and phenomenological insights. --K. H. (shrink)

While helping to form a general conception of the atmosphere out of which the Qumran texts and the New Testament arose, this brief study emphasizes the basic (...) differences between the two.--K. H. (shrink)

A critical concern with Kant's treatment of appearance and reality gives rise to this fascinating study. The first part contains the author's speculations about the relationships (...) class='Hi'> between appearance and the totally different other. In the second and third parts Samuel discusses a number of logical and psychological theories in the light of these "meontological" investigations, thereby developing his own views.--K. H. (shrink)

A translation of eleven of the chapters of Die Protestantische Theologie im 19. Jahrhundert. Omits chapters on the minor Protestant theologians of the 19th century who are (...) far more representative of Protestant thought than some of the more famous ones included. Also omitted are the chapters on theology and on Protestant theology in the 18th century. Enough, though, is left to make this a very stimulating book. Barth is usually entertaining and at times, brilliant.--K. H. (shrink)

In this fascinating study van der Meulen undertakes to show that the Hegelian view of spirit and history is untenable. The critique is extended to Marx's (...) class='Hi'>theories. Throughout the work the Hegelian views are contrasted with the more dualistic position of Kant.--K. H. (shrink)

Beginning with a discussion of the necessity of faith in reason, these Carus Lectures call attention to the fact that philosophy possesses a "reflexive" and a "non- (...) class='Hi'>reflexive subject-matter." In this latter respect it is like science, differing from it, however, in that it possesses a generic import." The author then goes on the develop his theory of "Dialectical Pluralism," grounding his argument mainly on a critical examination of Descartes, Berkeley, Kant, Leibniz, and Hegel.--K. H. (shrink)

An attempt to justify the historical references to Darius the Mede in the Book of Daniel.--K. H.

A translation of eleven of the chapters of Die Protestantische Theologie im 19. Jahrhundert. Omits chapters on the minor Protestant theologians of the 19th century who are (...) far more representative of Protestant thought than some of the more famous ones included. Also omitted are the chapters on theology and on Protestant theology in the 18th century. Enough, though, is left to make this a very stimulating book. Barth is usually entertaining and at times, brilliant.--K. H. (shrink)

An attempt to justify the historical references to Darius the Mede in the Book of Daniel.--K. H.