A Hermeneutical Journey throughout the Phenomenology of Edith Stein and Hedwig Conrad-Martius
Carmen Cozma
“Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iași, Romania
e-mail: carmen.cozma@uaic.ro
AGATHOS, Volume 2, Issue 1 (2): 138-141
© www.agathos-international-review.com CC BY NC 2011
Angela Ales Bello, Francesco Alfieri, Mobeen Shahid (eds.). Edith Stein. Hedwig Conrad-Martius. Fenomenologia Metafisica Scienze. Bari: Edizioni Giuseppe Laterza di Giuseppe Laterza, 2010. Pp.500
An excellent book about the work of two great thinkers of the 20th century world-wide phenomenology, namely Edith Stein and Hedwig Conrad-Martius, is offered thanks to the editorial endeavour of Angela Ales Bello, Francesco Alfieri and Mobeen Shahid.
We enjoy by a plural approach in the horizon of intertwining the phenomenology with science, metaphysics and theology, unfolded in the tonality of a serious scrutiny upon Stein and Conrad-Martius. After our knowledge, it is the first published research made even by the phenomenological instrument, giving a substantial perspective upon both the important authors tied to Edmund Husserl, which has appeared in the Italian space.
This monumental book – that becomes one of the most relevant bibliographical sources in the history of phenomenology – gathers 14 studies and 2 large bio-bibliographical “notes” belonging to dedicated contributors in this major direction of the present-day philosophy. Actually, according to the creator of phenomenology of life, Anna-Teresa Tymieniecka, “phenomenology is the inspirational force of our times” (Phenomenology World-Wide. Foundations – Expanding Dynamics – Life-Engagements. Encyclopedia of Learning. 2002, Kluwer Academic Publishers) for the entire philosophical work; and not only, seeing that the theory and method acknowledged by Edmund Husserl in Europe proves serious possibilities of application in many other domains, like arts, medicine, mathematics, psychology, sociology, etc.
The volume is opened by the study about “The contribution of Edith Stein and Hedwig Conrad-Martius in the phenomenological research” (pp.5-20). It is elaborated by the eminent phenomenologist Angela Ales Bello, who – among other things – has the merit to promote the work of the above mentioned female figures within the Italian philosophy of the last decades. Professor Emeritus at the Pontifical Lateran University, Vatican City State, Angela Ales Bello has written, over the years, referential texts about Stein and Conrad-Martius, pinpointing especially the originality of their phenomenology. Thus, the present introductory study is an enlightening one as regards the issues of: human being, entelechy, transcendental analysis, nature, truth and God, meaning of life, by emphasizing the dialogue between science, metaphysics and religion, as it encompasses the interest of the assessment of phenomenology by the two feminine members of Husserl’s group in Goettingen and Freiburg. The focus upon the “application of the method Husserl has indicated” and the “in-depth examination” of the sense, eventually, that Stein and Conrad-Martius have realized is highlighted by Angela Ales Bello (pp.19-20). At the same time, by opening the tome we are considering, she stresses the unitary dimension of the variety of interpretations it encloses; finally, at stake being an authentic success of a very welcome learning in terms of “autonomous”, but “not at all dispersed” points of view that the contributors reached to do (p.20).
Indeed, Edith Stein. Hedwig Conrad-Martius. Fenomenologia Metafisica Scienze impresses by a clear, harmonious, logical architectonics unifying personal exegeses, under a unique purpose which is satisfied by the general perspective, an integrator one that seems to flow in a natural manner, putting in act a convergent enterprise that is alive around the phenomenology of the authors in discussion. Undoubtedly, here comes the mark of the editors, all of them being professionals in the phenomenological realm.
The whole book appears like a theme - the “Introduction” signed by Angela Ales Bello - followed by variations – the seven sections -, balancing: “The history”, “The reality”, “Metaphysics and theology”, “The spirit”, “The science of life”, “A disciple of Hedwig Conrad-Martius: Eberhard Avé-Lallemant”, and “Hedwig Conrad-Martius in Italy”, in a whole orchestrated like a musical score. Beyond the identities of each section-movement, the researchers who participated in such a project are linking under the auspices of a common thread: that of making much better known and easier to be appropriated the thinking of Edith Stein and of Hedwig Conrad-Martius.
Exploring their work through the steps of “exposition and interpretation” – speaking in the terms of Walter Biemel - the contributors finalize to offer a unique book of reflection and expression, a veritable cultural exercise at the highest grades of spiritual living and concreteness within the philosophical area.
The beginning part of Joachim Feldes (pp.23-50) deals with “The phenomenologists’ refuge. The New Circle of Bergzabern after the first World War”. It points out some decisive moments, like the significance of 1921 year for the phenomenological movement; no less, the development of the Husserlian activity engaging Reinach, Ingarden, Hering, and, certainly, Stein and Conrad-Martius.
The “aspects of the entelechy phenomenon in the first and second person” with a detailed examination of the problem of “spirit, soul and person” are treated by James G.Hart (pp.53-80).
In his turn, Roberto Poli undertakes a penetrating analysis (pp.81-90) upon the questions of the “sphere” and the “nature” of reality “suggested by Hedwig Conrad-Martius” (p.81), starting from her motto “entia non sunt diminuenda sine necessitate”.
Interesting reflections are unfurled concerning the metaphysics and theology, in the framework of the third section of the book (pp.91-197). The topic is accomplished by the papers of Alexandra E.Pfeiffer: “Theology and philosophy in the work of Hedwig Conrad-Martius”; Nicoletta Ghigi: “Phenomenology and metaphysics in Hedwig Conrad-Martius”; Francesco Alfieri, OFM: “The principle of individualization in the phenomenological analysis of Edith Stein and Hedwig Conrad-Martius. The retrieval of the Middle Ages philosophy”.
Two extended scrutinies are dedicated to the phenomenology of the spiritual of Hedwig Conrad-Martius, elaborated by Michele D’Ambra and Anselmo Caputo (pp.201-343).
The same phenomenologist enters into the interest of Alessandro Cordelli as regards the “science of life”. And, no less, her personality is presented as the master of Eberhard Avé-Lallemant. A writing of the last is introduced within this volume. We refer to “Phenomenology and the idea of an ethics of peoples”, in the Italian translation of Francesco Alfieri, OFM, (pp.373-395). Dietrich Gottstein and Hans Rainer Sepp reveal part of the thinking of Avé-Lallemant throughout two valuable articles of the VIth chapter of the volume.
Finally, a synthesis of the research about the phenomenology of Hedwig Conrad-Martius in Italy is made by Mobeen Shahid (pp.403-411). And two thorough “Bio-bibliographical notes” are the result of a serious documentation of Francesco Alfieri, OFM.
A very good work in the language of the “total hermeneutics” – according to Mircea Eliade – is given to readers, by circumscribing a precious contribution within the phenomenology development of 20th century.
Edith Stein. Hedwig Conrad-Martius. Fenomenologia Metafisica Scienze discloses some pivotal ideas of two major authors in this field, and challenges towards new interpretations in the effort of looking for the sense of life and for the status of human condition in the given world, without losing the problem about the eternal humanness aspiration toward transcendence.
To conclude, we dare to say that the book edited by Angela Ales Bello, Francesco Alfieri and Mobeen Shahid registers itself in the golden library, as a successful enterprise in the phenomenologists’ world; at the same time, inscribing itself among the fundamental guiding writings for future researches in the territory of philosophy, generally.