Lebenserfahrung und Philosophie

Modern philosophy derives, if not exclusively yet nonetheless primarily, its orientation from scientific experience. The present book, by contrast, attempts to recall to mind another sort of experience, that which we gain in life itself. The latter is not merely a weakened version of the former, but rather a different mode of experience which fulfills an autonomous function that nothing can replace. Alongside the data of experience, this book depicts its scars, alongside bare information it presents the experience which influences one's own life style in good and bad ways. Central topics that illustrate the importance of life experience include the multifacetted questions of happiness and of death, as well as questions concerning the importance of faith for human existence. It also investigates the origins of philosophy, as well as its topics and self-interpretation. The historical roots of these questions are illustrated through interpretations of Platon, Aristoteles, Thomas von Acquin, Kant and others.