Herman Dooyeweerd and Eric Voegelin

This study provides an introduction to two of the twentieth century's most significant philosophers, Herman Dooyeweerd and Eric Voegelin. Dooyeweerd and Voegelin provided a new, deeper understanding of history and philosophy. They were early interpreters of the crisis of modern humanism, exposing its contradictions and uncovering its fundamental, spiritual problems. They both re-described philosophy itself as depending upon something deeper than human autonomy. Dooyeweerd demonstrated that all philosophizing was shaped by the commitment of the human heart and Voegelin showed that all philosophizing was a reflection on one's deeper experiences of transcendence. Throughout their work they both consistently emphasized the limits of humanity. Despite these similarities, Dooyeweerd and Voegelin came from different religious traditions, they never met, spoke different languages, lived in different countries, and with the exception of one passing reference, never made mention of the other's work. Dooyeweerd was a Christian philosopher, and Voegelin a Classical philosopher. part because there are few introductions to their works and no introductions to both of them. The purpose of this book is to provide an introduction to these two significant philosophers. relatively few people have studied both Dooyeweerd and Voegelin and even fewer who have written about them in a comparative fashion. This book is, in that regard, unique.