The Science, Politics, and Ontology of Life-Philosophy [Hardcover]

Lebensphilosophie, central to nineteenth-century philosophical thought, is concerned with the meaning, value and purpose of life. In this much-needed study, historicallebensphilosophieis returned to the core of philosophical investigations and revealed in the contemporary ascendency of 'life' in philosophical thinking.

Scholars from aesthetics, bioethics and ontology examine how the notion of life has made its way into
contemporary philosophical discussions. They identify three main themes: the shift toward biological and technological views of life, altering Dilthey and Nietzsche's emphasis on historical life over biological life; the relationship between biopolitics and political liberalism and the re-emergence of the idea of life - so important for the traditional life-philosophers - in recent discussions about care of the self, existential gratitude skepticism and the emotions.

Anticipating new directions of philosophical thinking, this study restores a vital school of thought to crucial discussions about the dangers of contemporary politics and the threat of new technologies.

Scott M. Campbellis Associate Professor of Philosophy at Nazareth College, USA.

Paul Brunois Associate Professor of Philosophy at Framingham State College, Massachusetts, USA.

IntroductionScott M.
Campbell and Paul Bruno\Part I:
Life-Contexts in Dilthey, Nietzsche, and Bergson1. Dilthey and the
Contextual Givenness of LifeRudolf A. Makkreel
\ 2.Biological and Historical
Life in Dilthey and HeideggerEric Nelson
\ 3.Your Money or Your Life
Ronnie Hawkins
\ 4.History in the Service of Life: Nietzsche's GenealogyAllison Merrick
\ 5.Bergson tbc
Part II: Converging Technologies
\ 6. A Quantum Magical Realism Writ Small: Astrobiology, Philosophy, and the Origin of LifeH.Peter Steeves
\ 7. The Artificialization of LifeJel³#