Defense Date

11-29-2004

Graduation Date

Fall 2004

Availability

Immediate Access

Submission Type

dissertation

Degree Name

PhD

Department

Philosophy

School

McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts

Committee Chair

Wilhelm S. Wurzer

Committee Member

Calvin L. Troup

Committee Member

Uhuru Hotep

Keywords

death of God, deconstruction, hope, Nietzsche, selflessness, self-negation

Abstract

I. Introduction

The time has come.

Now that the Idea of God has been declared dead, an egocentric action that opened Pandora's box, many evils plague humankind. Thus, human life has no meaning. Humanism has been devalued. Philosophy gets no respect. All Hope has been lost.

II. Statement of the Problem

Philosophy must investigate exactly who declared the death of that Idea and why, who must resurrect that Idea and why, or, perhaps not, and why.

III. Description of Procedure or Methods

A multifarious method will present a mystery.

First, it will differentiate between the Idea of God and God per se to demonstrate why that Idea is still philosophically, psychologically, etc., meaningful for humankind today. It will also reveal that Nietzsche did not declare its death alone, rather, Philosophy's entire history beginning with Descartes opened the door via: 1) Descartes' venerable provision of a rational proof of God; and 2) Philosophy's egocentric usurpation of power from that Idea for-itself, which it has yet to admit.

It will also explain the two worst evils that resultingly plague humankind today: 1) debt-capitalism, whereby humans foolishly attempt to fulfill their fundamental lack, and 2) tyrannical deconstructive freedom, which selfishly results in the opposite, slavery.

IV. Results

A crescendo will eventually culminate in an awesome conclusion summoning a Hegelian self-negation of Philosophy, and an Augustinian return to that Idea.

V. Conclusion

Surprisingly, however, at the very end, it will turn the tables on that seeming conclusion and regain respect for Philosophy per se, by dialectically demonstrating the opposite, that Philosophy supersedes that Idea because it can reflexively recognize and protect humankind from any and all abuse, even abuse that results from that Idea. Most importantly, the question of continued philosophical relevance and the meaning of that Idea will be left open to allow readers to reach their own conclusions by inspiring Hope.

Format

PDF

Language

English

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