Reverance for Life: The Ethics of Albert Schweitzer for the Twenty-First Century

by Marvin Meyer (Editor), Kurt Bergel (Editor)

Overview

Albert Schweitzer's system of ethics as a way of life in which individuals live with compassion and respect for all living things--humans, animals, and plants--or "Reverence for Life" is illuminated here through a series of compelling essays by Schweitzer and renowned contemporary Schweitzer scholars from around the globe. The selection of Schweitzer's writings includes, sermons, letters, and autobiographical and philosophical works chosen by the editors to outline the development of his thought throughout his lifetime.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780815629771
Publisher:	Syracuse University Press
Publication date:	11/28/2002
Series:	Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Marvin Meyer is Griset Professor of Bible and Christian Studies at Chapman University, Orange, California. He is the author of numerous books including Jesus Then and Now: Images of Jesus in History and Christology and The Ancient Mysteries: A Sourcebook of Sacred Texts.

Kurt Bergel was professor emeritus at Chapman University and founder and co-director of the Chapman University Albert Schweitzer Institute.

Editorial Reviews

An inherently impressive selection of profound essays by humanitarian Albert Schweitzer, enhanced by an eclectic variety of soul-searching commentaries on his thoughts and recommendations. . . . Highly recommended as life affirming, fundamental and thoughtfully constructed reading.-- "The Midwest Book Review"

From the Publisher

An inherently impressive selection of profound essays by humanitarian Albert Schweitzer, enhanced by an eclectic variety of soul-searching commentaries on his thoughts and recommendations. . . . Highly recommended as life affirming, fundamental and thoughtfully constructed reading.

The Midwest Book Review

Albert Schweitzer's (1875-1965) system of ethical mysticism is based primarily upon Christ's injunction, "Love the Lord thy God first and thy neighbor as thyself." He writes, "I can do no other than be reverent before everything that is called life. That is the beginning and foundation of all ethics." Assembled by Meyer (Bible & Christian studies, Chapman Univ.) and the late Bergel (emeritus, Chapman Univ.), founder of the Albert Schweitzer Institute, this eclectic collection of essays is intended as both an appreciation of Schweitzer and a critical review of his ethics and metaphysics. Included here are papers from the 1999 conference "Albert Schweitzer at the Turn of the Millennium," snippets of letters from Schweitzer and his wife-to-be, as well as a sermon, a childhood memoir, and several important essays by Schweitzer. The book also contains an introduction to Jainism (owing to its related ethic of nonviolence and reverence for life) and several undergraduate essays. Those without an in-depth understanding of Schweitzer's pacifistic yet sometimes sentimental and subjective processes will struggle with the many dissonant voices here, but Schweitzer scholars might find a few items of merit. Buy only where Schweitzer scholarship warrants.-Sandra Collins, Duquesne Univ. Lib., Pittsburgh Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

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