Book contents
- The Philosophy of Emil Fackenheim
- The Philosophy of Emil Fackenheim
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Epigraph
- Contents
- Acknowledgments
- Abbreviations
- Introduction The Unending Struggle with Revelation in the Thought of Emil Fackenheim
- 1 What Is Faith?
- 2 Individual versus Collective, Rational versus Mystical
- 3 Revelation as a Possibility
- 4 On Authority, Tradition, and History
- 5 Divine Power versus Human Freedom
- 6 From Presence to History
- 7 Confronting Radical Evil as Rupture
- 8 Diabolical Revelation and the Holocaust
- 9 Negative Absolute and Fragmentary Transcendence
- Conclusion Revelation of the Diabolical Truth in History
- Bibliography
- Index
4 - On Authority, Tradition, and History
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 06 October 2020
- The Philosophy of Emil Fackenheim
- The Philosophy of Emil Fackenheim
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Epigraph
- Contents
- Acknowledgments
- Abbreviations
- Introduction The Unending Struggle with Revelation in the Thought of Emil Fackenheim
- 1 What Is Faith?
- 2 Individual versus Collective, Rational versus Mystical
- 3 Revelation as a Possibility
- 4 On Authority, Tradition, and History
- 5 Divine Power versus Human Freedom
- 6 From Presence to History
- 7 Confronting Radical Evil as Rupture
- 8 Diabolical Revelation and the Holocaust
- 9 Negative Absolute and Fragmentary Transcendence
- Conclusion Revelation of the Diabolical Truth in History
- Bibliography
- Index
Summary
However significant the “personal” dimension of revelation is for Fackenheim, he insists that revelation be historically authentic. This ultimately gives priority to the collective people over the individual. Fackenheim’s insistence on the historical “authenticity” of revelation is based on his belief that revelation reveals a higher intention in history, which is beyond the grasp of human reason. If human consciousness can receive revelation of something beyond its grasp, it could only be a vision of the unifying pattern and purpose of events. Fackenheim argues that historical authenticity is proven if a subsequent event is revealed as linked to an earlier event, like the second exile “repeating” the first, or the “echo” of Moses’ prophecy in subsequent prophets. This shows historical consistency; and it is through revelation that this linkage becomes apparent, expressing a common intention.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- The Philosophy of Emil FackenheimFrom Revelation to the Holocaust, pp. 122 - 155Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2020