Search Without Idols (Martinus Nijhoff Philosophy Library, 17)

Search Without Idols is a study of human transcendence in the context of human striving, projecting, surpassing, overcoming. This power is central to man's search for wholeness. Such transcendence makes reality tolerable. It provides us with ~m impressive array of human responses which enable us to cope. But it also provides the excesses that go beyond human striving. Nothing seems to be off-limits to this ubiquitous power. Such a state of surpassing limits is what we find in the relation between the human search for wholeness and the quest for external totalities which lies beyond the human context. Such soaring flights beyond the capacity of human striving are hard to control, impossible to show responsibility-for and beyond the reach of criteria. The reach exceeds both our grasp and our control. Transcendence, then, is a greatly used and much abuse~ human power. Its activities have never ceased to amaze me, its excesses have always troubled me even from the beginning of my studies. This book is not an exercise in self-clarification. I have some thoughts on the matter which I wish to share with the reader. Perhaps we can mutually appreciate the great gift without compromising our sanity. Part I will provide a new look at the meaning of transcendence.