Hans Jonas was a German-born philosopher whose work delves into the ethical and philosophical challenges posed by modern technology and its implications for humanity's future. He explored the profound connection between being and morality, emphasizing our responsibility towards the planet and the permanence of human life. His philosophy synthesizes biology, existentialism, and ethics, engaging with both the material and moral dimensions of human existence. Jonas's thought provided a foundational undergirding for the environmental movement and bioethics.
Exploring the intersections of gnosticism, biology, and technology, this collection features essays by Hans Jonas, a significant figure in 20th-century philosophy. Organized in reverse chronological order, it begins with discussions on "Science, Technology, and Ethics," followed by insights into "Organism, Mind, and History," and concludes with reflections on early Christian religious thought. This unique structure emphasizes Jonas's view of the philosophical importance of technology in shaping human understanding and existence.
Focusing on the intertwining of ethics and metaphysics, this work highlights Hans Jonas's philosophical perspective that values are fundamental to existence. As a prominent thinker influenced by notable figures like Heidegger and Bultmann, and a close associate of Hannah Arendt, Jonas's ideas reflect a deep exploration of the relationship between moral principles and the nature of reality. This book serves as both a culmination of his thought and a demonstration of its relevance in contemporary philosophical discourse.
The Message of the Alien God & the Beginnings of Christianity - Second Edition, Enlarged
358 pages
13 hours of reading
The Gnostic Religion was the 1st decent introduction to gnosticism for the modern world & is still of value today. It includes both heresiological & original texts--Nag Hammadi only uncovered later. It holds useful material on Simon Magus, the Hermetic Poimandres (shown here to be equally a gnostic document), the Valentinians, Mandaeans, Manichaeans & the "Hymn of the Pearl". The existentialist bent--Jonas a student of Martin Heidegger--makes an interesting contrast to Pagel's more orthodox view of gnostic religion as theistic. This volume & the Nag Hammadi library will provide good coverage of the diverse teachings of gnostic & related movements. Introduction: East & West in Hellenism The Meaning of Gnosis & the Extent of the Gnostic Movement Gnostic Imagery & Symbolic Language Simon Magus The "Hymn of the Pearl" The Angels that Made the World. The Gospel of Marcion The Poimandres of Hermes Trismegistus The Valentinian Speculation Creation, World History & Salvation According to Mani The Cosmos in Greek & Gnostic Evaluation Virtue & the Soul in Greek & Gnostic Teaching The Recent Discoveries in the Field of Gnosticism Epilogue: Gnosticism, Nihilism & Existentialism
Hans Jonas here rethinks the foundations of ethics in light of the awesome transformations wrought by modern technology: the threat of nuclear war, ecological ravage, genetic engineering, and the like. Though informed by a deep reverence for human life, Jonas's ethics is grounded not in religion but in metaphysics, in a secular doctrine that makes explicit man's duties toward himself, his posterity, and the environment. Jonas offers an assessment of practical goals under present circumstances, ending with a critique of modern utopianism.
