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Philosophy and Judgement

This book demonstrates one of the characteristic features of Skjervheim's philosophical work - namely that he, in addition to writing on subjects of academic nature, is also able to turn his hand to subjects that are of interest to a wider public.

Through a total of 22 articles written from the 1950s till today, we are presented with analysis of hermeneutics, of the theory of ideologies as well as articles on the relationship between politics and judgment. Central thinkers from our century, like Gadamer, Mannheim, Weber, Pareto, Aron and Heidegger, are analysed.

According to Skjervheim philosophical problems are not primarily academic problems. They affect us all, and they emerge as we lose the naà¯ve focus on life. Reflections are thereby philosophical questions, emerge when people no longer takes a practice as a given, but question accepted solutions to the way we live. Skjevheim wants to lead us some part of the way on this journey of reflections, a journey that is part of life.

Skjervheim's view of Man is inspired by thinkers such as Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, German philosophical anthropology (Scheler, Gehlen, Plessner) and existentialism. Few can, as Skjervheim does, deal with such a mixture of different thinkers without becoming superficial and shallow. His ability to combine the many different problem areas instead of building water-tight compartments between them, is unique, particularly with reference to the increased emphasis on specialisation so common today.

First published: 1992, Universitetsforlaget

Arne Skjervheim: Biography and bibliography