Nachdem die Debatten um Heideggers braune Vergangenheit weitgehend abgeklungen sind, widmet sich der amerikanische Philosophiehistoriker Tom Rockmore der erstaunlichen Faszination, die Heidegger auf französische Philosophen der Nachkriegszeit - von Sartre bis Derrida und Foucault - ausgeübt hat. In der Form des Poststrukturalismus und Dekonstruktivismus erlangte seine Philosophie weitreichende Wirkung. Rockmore zeigt, dass Heideggers Aufstieg zum führenden „französischen“ Philosophen paradoxerweise nach 1945 begann, obwohl sein NS-Engagement bekannt war und im Umfeld von Sartre intensiv diskutiert wurde. Die Untersuchung bietet einen fundierten Überblick über die intellektuelle Szene in Frankreich nach dem Krieg und beleuchtet die politischen Dimensionen der Heidegger-Rezeption sowie deren bewusste Steuerung durch den „Meisterdenker“ und seine Schüler. Das Ergebnis ist ernüchternd: Eine fehlerbelastete Interpretation von Heideggers Philosophie durch französische Denker ebnete seinem Denken weltweit den Weg, obwohl es sich als nicht immun gegen völkische Barbarei erwiesen hatte. Pressestimme: „Heidegger hat in Frankreich größeren Einfluss auf seinesgleichen ausgeübt als irgendein anderer Philosoph des 20. Jahrhunderts in einem fremden Land. Rockmore hat diese komplizierte Geschichte mit all ihren intellektuellen Verbindungen äußerst aufschlussreich dargelegt.“ (Washington Post)
Tom Rockmore Bücher






Das Werk des Philosophen und Kommunikationswissenschaftlers Ernst von Glasersfeld wird in vielen Bereichen der Natur-, Kultur- und Sozialwissenschaften mit steigender Intensität rezipiert. Die „Ernst von Glasersfeld-Lectures“ sind eine Vortragsserie, die sich Themen widmet, mit denen er sich ein Forscherleben lang auseinandersetzte.
Kant and phenomenology
- 258 Seiten
- 10 Lesestunden
Phenomenology, together with Marxism, pragmatism, and analytic philosophy, dominated philosophy in the 20th century and Edmund Husserl is usually thought to have been the first to develop the concept. The author argues for a return to phenomenology's origins in epistemology and does so by locating its roots in the work of Immanuel Kant.
Hegel, idealism, and analytic philosophy
- 286 Seiten
- 11 Lesestunden
Examining the relationship between Hegel and Anglo-American analytical philosophies, the author argues that the first generation of British analytic philosophers had, in fact, a limited understanding of this field, leading to a misunderstanding of Hegel's philosophies in a number of areas.
Exploring the foundations of philosophy, Tom Rockmore challenges the traditional view established by Parmenides that thought and being are identical. He argues against the existence of a non-mind-dependent reality, advocating instead for a constructivist perspective where knowledge is shaped by mental constructs. The book traces the evolution of philosophical thought from ancient figures like Plato and Aristotle to modern thinkers such as Kant and Hegel, revealing how these ideas can be reinterpreted through a contemporary lens, fostering new connections in philosophical discourse.
In this engaging and accessible introduction to Hegel's theory of knowledge, Tom Rockmore brings together the philosopher's life, his thought, and his historical moment--without, however, reducing one to another. Laying out the philosophical tradition of German idealism, Rockmore concisely explicates the theories of Kant, Fichte, and Schelling, essential to an understanding of Hegel's thought. He then explores Hegel's formulation of his own position in relation to this tradition and follows Hegel's ideas through the competing interpretations of his successors. Even today, according to Rockmore, Hegel's system remains an essentially modern conception of knowledge, superior to Kant's critical philosophy and surprisingly relevant to our philosophical situation. Rockmore's remarkably lucid and succinct introduction to Hegel's thought, with its distinctively historical approach, will benefit students of philosophy, intellectual history, politics, culture, and society.
Heidegger, German idealism & neo-Kantianism
- 294 Seiten
- 11 Lesestunden
The influence of early Greek thought on Heidegger's philosophical development is well documented, but Heidegger's relation to modern philosophy, particularly that of German idealists such as Immanuel Kant, Johann Gottlieb Fichte, and G W F Hegel, has not attracted the attention it deserves. Kant is particularly crucial to understanding Heidegger, since the reformulation of Kantian thought that led to German neo-Kantianism provided an important part of the intellectual climate in which Heidegger formulated his own position. This book examines the little-known but crucial link between Heidegger's theories and his reading of German philosophy - especially idealist and neo-Kantian strains. The analyses and evaluations of Heidegger's writings offered here represent a wide range of views, running from those who agree with Heidegger to those who are deeply critical.
Kant and idealism
- 294 Seiten
- 11 Lesestunden
Distinguished scholar and philosopher Tom Rockmore examines one of the great lacunae of contemporary philosophical discussion--idealism. Addressing the widespread confusion about the meaning and use of the term, he surveys and classifies some of its major forms, giving particular attention to Kant. He argues that Kant provides the all-important link between three main types of idealism: those associated with Plato, the new way of ideas, and German idealism. The author also makes a case for the contemporary relevance of at least one strand in the tangled idealist web, a strand most clearly identified with Kant: constructivism. In terms of the philosophical tradition, Rockmore contends, constructivism offers a lively, interesting, and important approach to knowledge after the decline of metaphysical realism.
Hegel's Phenomenology of Spirit is a pivotal philosophical work of the nineteenth century. In this companion volume to his general introduction to Hegel, Tom Rockmore provides a passage-by-passage guide tailored for first-time readers and those unfamiliar with Hegel. He argues that Hegel's concepts of spirit, consciousness, and reason form a coherent theory of knowledge that remains relevant today. Rockmore explains how the text's various conceptions of cognition lead to absolute knowing, interpreting this culmination in a secular manner, contrasting with common religious interpretations. He distinguishes his analysis by situating Hegel’s work within its philosophical context, engaging with the ideas of Aristotle, Descartes, Kant, and other German idealists. This approach clarifies notoriously difficult passages and enriches the reader's understanding of Hegel's intent and the philosophical landscape of his time. By examining the connections between Hegel's ideas and those of earlier thinkers, Rockmore illuminates the significance of the Phenomenology, making it accessible and relevant for contemporary discussions in philosophy.
Marx After Marxism
- 248 Seiten
- 9 Lesestunden
"Marx After Marxism" invites readers to explore Karl Marx beyond traditional political interpretations. This accessible volume provides a comprehensive overview of Marx's philosophy, highlighting his connection to Hegel, and encourages fresh perspectives on his ideas for both Marxists and non-Marxists alike.