Reverence for Life: The Ethics of Albert Schweitzer for the Twenty-First Century - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 081562977X ISBN 13: 9780815629771

Publisher: Syracuse University Press, 2002

Synopsis

This collection of essays builds on the contributions of Albert Schweitzer's philosophy of "Reverence for Life" as it pertains to our world today.

About this title

About the Author

<b>Marvin Meyer</b> is Griset Professor of Bible and Christian Studies at Chapman University, Orange, California. He is the author of numerous books including <i>Jesus Then and Now: Images of Jesus in History </i>and<i> Christology and The Ancient </i><i>Mysteries: A Sourcebook of Sacred Texts. </i> <b>Kurt Bergel</b> was professor emeritus at Chapman University and founder and co-director of the Chapman University Albert Schweitzer Institute.

Reviews

Albert Schweitzer's (1875-1965) system of ethical mysticism is based primarily upon Christ's injunction, "Love the Lord thy God first and thy neighbor as thyself." He writes, "I can do no other than be reverent before everything that is called life. That is the beginning and foundation of all ethics." Assembled by Meyer (Bible & Christian studies, Chapman Univ.) and the late Bergel (emeritus, Chapman Univ.), founder of the Albert Schweitzer Institute, this eclectic collection of essays is intended as both an appreciation of Schweitzer and a critical review of his ethics and metaphysics. Included here are papers from the 1999 conference "Albert Schweitzer at the Turn of the Millennium," snippets of letters from Schweitzer and his wife-to-be, as well as a sermon, a childhood memoir, and several important essays by Schweitzer. The book also contains an introduction to Jainism (owing to its related ethic of nonviolence and reverence for life) and several undergraduate essays. Those without an in-depth understanding of Schweitzer's pacifistic yet sometimes sentimental and subjective processes will struggle with the many dissonant voices here, but Schweitzer scholars might find a few items of merit. Buy only where Schweitzer scholarship warrants.
Sandra Collins, Duquesne Univ. Lib., Pittsburgh
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Syracuse University Press
• Publication date: 2002
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 081562977X
• ISBN 13: 9780815629771
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 368
• Editor: Meyer Marvin, Bergel Kurt