On the True Philosopher and the True Philosophy: essays on Swedenborg

Journal of the Swedenborg Society vol. 2

Synopsis

With the possible exception of The New Philosophy, few attempts have been made to integrate the work of Swedenborg into the history of ideas. Monographs have been written but little has been done to introduce his thought directly to philosophical debate. Today, when one encounters the name of Swedenborg, one does so primarily as a footnote to specialist studies of the eighteenth century. Even here however, he is misquoted, misjudged or simply misunderstood.

This volume of essays, beginning with a look at Immanuel Kant's reading of Swedenborg, aims at re-examining this generally held misconception. Drawing on comparisons with Schopenhauer, Wolff, Liebniz and others, they show Swedenborg to be a much greater influence than many would have imagined, and a key component of subsequent nineteeth and twentieth century thought.

This volume is a key text book for students interested in the Western philosophic tradition.