Max Scheler. Philosophical anthropology of Max Scheler

Max Scheler was born and lived in the era of turbulent social changes in the world, which resulted in the revolution and war. His worldview was influenced by the teachings of many German thinkers, whose ideas he met as a student. He himself became known in connection with his philosophical anthropology, which he considered in the last years of his life.

The article presents information about the biography of the philosopher, his personal life, his creative path and his philosophical search.

short biography

The German philosopher Max Scheler was born on August 22, 1874 in Munich. His mother, Sophia, was an adherent of orthodox Judaism. Father, Gottlieb - Protestant.

At the age of twenty, the young Max graduated from high school and began his further studies at different universities in the country:

• Study of medicine, philosophy, psychology in Munich;
• Sociology and philosophy of Simmel and Dilthey in Berlin;
• The philosophy of Oiken and Liebman;
• The national economy of Peerstorf;
• Geography of Regel;
• Defends a thesis under the guidance of Aiken;
• Undergoes an internship at the University of Heidelberg;
• Starts working at the University of Jena.

In September 1899, he changed his religion, accepting Catholicism. In 1902 his acquaintance with Husserl took place.

The philosopher was trained in different universities of the country. The same was with his work. At various times he taught at the universities of Munich, Göttingen, Cologne, Frankfurt. He rose to the rank of professor. During this time he wrote and published many of his scientific works.

Death overtook him in Frankfurt on May 19, 1928. The body was buried at the Southern Cemetery of Cologne.

Personal life

For his life, Scheler was officially married three times. His first wife was Amelia Ottilia, whom he married in 1899. From their marriage, the boy Wolfgang was born in 1906. After thirteen years of life, Max Scheler divorces and marries Maria Furtwangler.

In 1920, he met with Maria Neca, but with his second wife, he divorced only in 1923. The next year, he will legalize his relationship with his mistress, who, a week after his death, will give him the son of Max Georg. She will also edit and publish the collected works of the German thinker after his death.

Creative stages

Researchers of the philosopher's creative path distinguish two main stages. On the first of them, Max Scheler explores questions that relate to ethics, feelings, and religion. This period lasted until about 1922. At that time he closely communicated with Husserl.

The second stage lasted until the death of the scientist, he was devoted to treating the Deity as unfinished, as something that goes the way of becoming together with the cosmos and human history.

With questions that illuminated the philosopher in his work, you can see by studying his works. Their translation from German into Russian will help the Russian-speaking population.

Key work

One of Scheler's most famous works is his answer to Heidegger, "The Situation of Man in Space." In it, he stressed the need for the formation of philosophical anthropology, which would become the fundamental science of the human essence.

For the first time he will acquaint himself with these thoughts in 1927 in the "School of Wisdom" present with the help of the report "The Special Situation of Man", which will subsequently be finalized and renamed.

In the work, which has its own translation from German into Russian, the author sees man as a part of living nature. The book refers to the final period of the thinker's work.

Philosophical Anthropology

Max Scheler most of all worried about the essence of man. He sought to answer the question: what is a person? The Thinker realized that finding an answer was difficult, because a person is too broad and diverse to find a definition for him.

His idea was formed in times of violent social upheavals, when the world was shaken by bloody wars. And the German nation was, like no other, involved in these events. Scheler Max, whose books are known all over the world, set himself the task of developing a doctrine that would be able to resolve acute national problems. He sought to find a salutary outlet for his people.

An important feature of his anthropology was the assertion of a certain discord in the inner world of people. The philosopher decided from two types of cultures that existed in Western European anthropology, to choose a sense of shame rather than guilt. At the same time he believed that a modern developed society requires great sacrifices from the natural needs of people. He called this phenomenon excessive intellectuality.

In his opinion, a person must himself understand and realize his inconsistency in the system of being. He must fulfill his role in this unified system with great responsibility. One of the most important issues of modern society, he believed the responsibility of each person for the existence of human civilization.