Wolfram Eilenberger’s “Time of the Magicians” is a captivating exploration of the lives and ideas of four influential thinkers who shaped the course of modern philosophy and science. The book delves into the psyche and motivations of these individuals, revealing how their personal experiences and beliefs shaped their groundbreaking theories.
The book begins with an introduction to the four thinkers at the heart of the narrative: Walter Benjamin, Gershom Scholem, Martin Heidegger, and Ernst Cassirer. Each of these men was born in the late 19th century and came of age during a time of great upheaval and uncertainty. They were all profoundly affected by the ideas of Nietzsche and Freud, and they each sought to understand the world in new ways, using their own unique perspectives and experiences.
Chapter 1: Walter Benjamin
Walter Benjamin was a German-Jewish philosopher and critic who was deeply interested in the intersection of art, culture, and politics. He was influenced by the work of Freud and Adorno, and he developed a theory of art that emphasized its political and social significance. Benjamin’s life was marked by a sense of impending doom, and he ultimately took his own life rather than be captured by the Nazis.
Chapter 2: Gershom Scholem
Gershom Scholem was a German-Jewish scholar who is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in the study of Jewish mysticism. He was influenced by the work of Freud and Jung, and he developed a theory of Jewish mysticism that emphasized its psychological and spiritual significance. Scholem’s life was also marked by a sense of displacement and loss, and he ultimately settled in Israel, where he helped to establish the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Chapter 3: Martin Heidegger
Martin Heidegger was a German philosopher who is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in the history of philosophy. He was influenced by the work of Nietzsche and Husserl, and he developed a theory of being that emphasized the importance of human subjectivity and experience. Heidegger’s life was marked by a sense of nationalism and political conservatism, and he ultimately became a member of the Nazi Party.
Chapter 4: Ernst Cassirer
Ernst Cassirer was a German philosopher who is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in the history of philosophy. He was influenced by the work of Kant and Husserl, and he developed a theory of symbolic forms that emphasized the importance of language and culture in shaping human experience. Cassirer’s life was marked by a sense of exile and displacement, and he ultimately settled in the United States, where he taught at Columbia University.
Conclusion
In conclusion, “Time of the Magicians” is a fascinating exploration of the lives and ideas of four influential thinkers who shaped the course of modern philosophy and science. Through their personal experiences and beliefs, these men developed theories that continue to resonate today. Eilenberger’s book is a testament to the power of individual perspective and the importance of understanding the past in order to shape the future.
Interested in reading the whole book?
Buy the book “Time of the Magicians” on Amazon
