Contemporary German Philosophy and Its Background by Fritz-Joachim von Rintelen (review)

BOOK REVIEWS philosophy. " If that phrase [Christian philosophy] accurately described the philosophical contribution of the Middle Ages, we would see little point in writing this present book." (p. 8) Mcinerny's text is suitably done. He discusses everyone who should be discussed, although not everything; e. g., shortshrift is made of the Condemnation of 1Q77 and so-called "Latin Averroism." Also I do find it a mark of disproportion that the author devotes only one paragraph(!) to Jewish thought in the Middle Ages while a whole chapter is devoted to " other ninth and tenth century figures " such as Heiric and Remigius of Auxerre and Gerbert of Aurillac. His style is clear but very academic: at times it languishes under the burden of the material. One questions the need for a " sustained look " of nine pages at Gundissalinus's De divisione philosophiae in a college textbook. While there is ample reference to the primary sources, the bibliographies placed at the end of each section are slim. The volume certainly does not qualify as a reference tool in the way that Gilson's classic, A History of Christian Philosophy in the Middle Ages, does. In brief, the college teacher who wishes to have everything " right there " will find Mcinerny's work a handy instrument and certainly adequate for that purpose. The authors, however, plainly advise instructors to avoid "teaching this book" (xiv) but rather to use it as a guide for creatively planning a course. An alternative program I personally have found more successful for planning a college course in this area is the choice of any number of high quality paperbacks, many of which contain editions of primary sources with brief introductions. The truly creative teacher can present his students three or four more specialized volumes which cover the same material and afford a refreshing change of style, attitude, and approach to the field of Medieval philosophy. Dominican House of Studies Washington, D. C. RoMANus CESsARIO, 0. P. Contemporary German Philosophy and Its Background. By FRITZ-JOACHIM voN RrNTELEN. Bonn: Bouvier, 1970. Pp. 187. DM Q6. This survey of the German philosophical scene belongs in the respected tradition of the earlier accounts by Werner Brock and I. M. Bochenski. The author does not dig into the individual thinkers as deeply as did Brock and does not share Bochenski's concern for other European traditions . But brevity combines with sureness of touch to give a special BOOK REVIEWS 323 quality to Rintelen's book as a useful first introduction for college students. The careful organization of chapters and clear exposition of doctrines testify to Rintelen's long experience as teacher and author, as well as his firsthand acquaintance with American universities and the needs of students. The book is a revised version of lectures delivered originally at the University of Southern California. The term " background " appearing in the title enables Rintelen to enlarge his scope to include the entire twentieth century. This gives valuable depth to the perspectives taken on each school so that some of its presuppositions can come into view. For instance, the reader will be able to find here some specific content for the much-used, yet vague term "Neo-Kantianism," which figures so prominently in discussions of the development of Husserl and Heidegger. Together with a general characterization, the book probes into the main men and philosophical issues distinguishing the Marburg and Heidelberg schools. The stress upon background also permits Rintelen to recall the work done by Dilthey in the field of historical understanding of cultural realities, as well as the contributions of Brentano to the phenomenological movement. The five main currents presented here are: philosophy of logos, lifephilosophy , essence-phenomenology, philosophy of existence, and philosophy of the living spirit. The first division is a rather uneasy unification of the Neo-Kantians and the logical positivists, taken together in virtue of their common interest in the formal analysis of science. But the Kantians tend to develop ethics and the human sciences, while the positivists move on to a new career in America as more pragmatic thinkers. Life-philosophy arouses interest mainly through Driesch, Spengler, and the inclusion here of Gestalt psychology. We come to the heart of German...