After Enlightenment: Hamann as Post-Secular Visionary is acomprehensive introduction to the life and works ofeighteenth-century German philosopher, J. G. Hamann, the foundingfather of what has come to be known as Radical Orthodoxy. Provides a long-overdue, comprehensive introduction to Haman'sfascinating life and controversial works, including his role as afriend and critic of Kant and some of the most renowned Germanintellectuals of the age Features substantial new translations of the most importantpassages from across Hamann's writings, some of which have neverbeen translated into English Examines Hamann's highly original views on a range of topics,including faith, reason, revelation, Christianity, biblicalexegesis, Socrates, theological aesthetics, language, sexuality,religion, politics, and the relationship between Judaism andChristianity Presents Hamann as the 'founding father' of a distinctlypost-modern, post-secular theology and, as such, as an alternativeto the 'postmodern triumvirate' of Nietzsche, Heidegger, andDerrida Considers Hamann's work as a touchtone of modernJewish-Christian dialogue, in view of debates with his friend MosesMendelssohn Explores Hamann's role as the visionary founder of a'metacritical' movement that radically calls into question thebasic principles of modern secular reason, and thus reprises thedebate between those defending Hamann's views and those labelinghim the bête noir of the Enlightenment

After Enlightenment: The Post-Secular Vision of J. G. Hamann is a comprehensive introduction to the life and works of 18th-century German philosopher, J. G. Hamann, the founding father of what has come to be known as Radical Orthodoxy.:.; Provides a long-overdue, comprehensive introduction to Haman's fascinating life and controversial works, including his role as a friend and critic of Kant and some of the most renowned German intellectuals of the age.; Features substantial new translations of the most important passages from across Hamann's writings, some of which have never been translated i

For more than a century, J.G. Hamann was widely regarded as a brilliant Christian philosopher and theologian of penetrating wit. Though less known today, Hamann is gradually being recognized as one of the most important and original critics of Kant and the Enlightenment in general. After Enlightenment resurrects and substantiates Hamann's relevance, presenting him as the visionary founder of a "radical orthodox" movement that fundamentally called into question some of the basic principles of modern secular thought." "This introduction to Hamann's fascinating life and controversial works explores his views on a range of topics - including faith, reason, history, hermeneutics, aesthetics, politics, the origin of language, and the relationship between Judaism and Christianity. Focusing upon his engagements with famous contemporaries and friends, such as Kant, Herder, and Mendelssohn, it also offers a unique perspective on the debates of the time. Betz presents Hamann as the prophetic founder of a distinctly postmodern, post-secular theology, and as such, an alternative to the postmodern philosophies of Nietzsche, Heidegger, and Derrida. After Enlightenment demonstrates the continued relevance of Hamann today, reprising the debate between those defending his views and those labeling the be?te noire of the Enlightenment.