After Enlightenment

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 bête noire of the Enlightenment.