Gerda Walther’s Phenomenology of Sociality, Psychology, and Religion

This book explores the philosophical writings of Gerda Walther (1897–1977). It features essays that

recover large parts of Walther’s oeuvre in order to show her contribution to phenomenology

and philosophy. In addition, the volume contains an English translation of part of her

major work on mysticism.

The essays consider the interdisciplinary implications of Gerda Walther’s ideas. A student

of Edmund Husserl, Edith Stein, and Alexander Pfänder, she wrote

foundational studies on the ego, community, mysticism and religion, and consciousness.

Her discussions of empathy, identification, the ego and ego-consciousness,

alterity, God, mysticism, sensation, intentionality, sociality, politics, and woman are

relevant not only to phenomenology and philosophy but also to scholars of religion, women’s

and gender studies, sociology, political science, and psychology.

Gerda Walther was one of the important figures of the early phenomenological

movement. However, as a woman, she could not habilitate at a German

university and was, therefore, denied a position. Her complete works have yet to be

published. This ground-breaking volume not only helps readers discover a vital voice but it

also demonstrates the significant contributions of women to early phenomenological thinking.