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

Marvin Meyer (Editor), Kurt Bergel (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2002

This collection of essays builds on the contributions of Albert Schweitzer's philosophy of "Reverence for Life" as it pertains to our world today.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

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 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

An inherently impressive selection of profound essays by humanitarian Albert Schweitzer, enhanced by an eclectic variety of soul-searching commentaries. . . -- The Midwest Book Review

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Syracuse Univ Pr (Sd) (October 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0815629524
• ISBN-13: 978-0815629528
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,505,465 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Marvin Meyer is one of the foremost scholars on gnosticism, the Nag Hammadi library, and texts about Jesus outside the New Testament.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars With an eclectic variety of soul-searching commentaries, November 5, 2002

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Reverence for Life: The Ethics of Albert Schweitzer for the Twenty-First Century (Paperback)

Collaboratively and expertly edited by Marvin Meyer (Griset Professor of Bible and Christian Studies, Chapman University, Orange, California) and Kurt Bergel (Professor Emeritus, Chapman University and founder/co-director of the Chapman University Albert Schweitzer Institute), Reverence for Life: The Ethics Of Albert Schweitzer For The Twenty-First Century is an inherently impressive selection of profound essays by humanitarian Albert Schweitzer, enhanced with an eclectic variety of soul-searching commentaries on his thoughts and recommendations. Among Schweitzer's presented and scrutinized works are sermons, letters, as well as tidbits of his personal autobiography and deep philosophy. Reverence For Life is highly recommended as life-affirming, fundamental and thoughtfully constructed reading.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Reinforcement, January 12, 2008

By 

Ty T. Firsching - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Reverence for Life: The Ethics of Albert Schweitzer for the Twenty-First Century (Paperback)

If you've read Dr. Schweitzer's "Reverence for Life", you should enjoy this compilation of letters and papers regarding and reinforcding Schweitzer's ethic. The included writings are authored by everyone from Graduate students to correspondents and Albert Schweitzer himself. Very enjoyable reading.