This book discusses two general theories of human consciousness. The methodology, interdisciplinary and “history of ideas”-oriented, concentrates on two opposing theories, one humanistic and the other scientific. Leibniz's optimistic claim in the seventeenth century that this world was the best of all possible worlds is posed against nineteenth century Schopenhauer who argued pessimistically that it was the worst and that it was best not to survive. Against this background the book compares the current danger of a civil war in the United States of America as patterned along the same lines that engulfed the former Yugoslavia, thus demonstrating the insidious roots of that evil and its destructive engulfment and power. Ultimately, it questions whether these same dynamic forces are leading today's world to annihilation as countries threaten each other with nuclear arms and the age of pessimism has become entrenched.
Ben Lazare Mijuskovic, Ph.D., is a retired Professor of Philosophy (CSU) and Psychotherapist. He has published numerous books and articles on theories of consciousness in relation to human loneliness, including
Consciousness and Loneliness: Theoria and Praxis (Brill, 2019),
Metaphysical Dualism, Subjective Idealism and Existential Loneliness (2022),
The Philosophical Roots of Loneliness and Intimacy: Political Narcissism and the Problem of Evil (2022) and
Theories of Consciousness and the Problem of Evil in the History of Ideas(2023).
1The Battle between Gods and Giants: Materialism and Idealism
2The Foundations of Western Science: Materialism, Empiricism, and Determinism
3Metaphysical Dualism, Subjective and Objective Idealism: Freedom and Spontaneity
4Brentano, Husserl, and Sartre on Transcendence, Intentionality, Spontaneity, and Values
5The Ancient Origins of Good and Evil: Closing the Circle
6Schopenhauer and Thomas Hardy: Optimism and Pessimism, the Virtues of Resignation and Compassion
7The Ethics of Universal Suicide
Epilogue
Appendix – Chart of Hegel’s Categories
Bibliography
Name Index
Subject Index
This book is of interest to political specialists, academic institutions, libraries, ethicists, philosophers, sociologists, humanists, politicians, reformists, ministers, clergymen, and high school teachers.