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Time of the Magicians

Biography & History

Time of the Magicians

Wolfram Eilenberger

The philosophical landscape of 1920s Germany was shaped by the interplay of war, emerging scientific theories, and the tumultuous sociopolitical climate of the Weimar Republic. Thinkers like Heidegger, Benjamin, Wittgenstein, and Cassirer grappled with the relevance of philosophy in an era marked by Einstein’s relativity, Freudian psychoanalysis, and Darwinian evolution, each responding uniquely to the challenges posed by modern science. While Heidegger critiqued science for obstructing authentic human experience, Benjamin lamented its alienation from nature, and Wittgenstein viewed language as inadequate for metaphysical inquiry. In contrast, Cassirer embraced science as a tool for human progress, emphasizing the unifying power of cultural symbols. Despite their differences, all four philosophers shared a profound belief in the transformative role of language, exploring its capacity to shape human existence. Their lives and ideas reflected the contradictions of their time—an age of technological innovation, economic hardship, and political unrest—culminating in debates like the 1929 Davos encounter between Heidegger and Cassirer, which symbolized the era’s ideological divides.

20 min

7 Bite

Einblick

Worum geht es?

The book delves into the lives and philosophies of four influential thinkers—Heidegger, Cassirer, Benjamin, and Wittgenstein—set against the backdrop of post-World War I Germany. It explores their contrasting views on science, language, and the human condition, reflecting the intellectual and cultural tensions of the 1920s. Through their struggles, debates, and groundbreaking ideas, the narrative examines how these philosophers grappled with existential questions and the rapidly changing world around them. A vivid portrait of an era, it reveals how their insights continue to shape modern thought.

Buchzusammenfassung

Wolfram Eilenberger is a German philosopher and best-selling author. He’s made it his mission to analyze our contemporary world through a philosophical lens. He writes on topics from everyday culture to politics to sports. His best-selling book Time of the Magicians won the Bavarian Book Prize.

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Alle Bissen

7 Bites

Clashing Visions: Philosophy in a Turbulent Era

Martin Heidegger: Embracing Mortality to Live Authentically

Symbols of Humanity: Cassirer’s Vision of Hope

Wittgenstein's Quest to Break the Glass

Bohemian Truths: Walter Benjamin's Restless Pursuit

Language as the Essence of Human Existence

Philosophy in Flux: Language, Science, and Identity

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