History and the Paradoxes of Metaphysics in Dantons Tod is the first in-depth analysis exploring the dynamic relationship between Hegelian metaphysics and Georg Büchner's literary masterpiece. This study illuminates the fascinating paradoxes emerging from Büchner's portrayal of the collision of historical reality with the monumental concept of freedom developed in the monistic idealism of Hegel. It also brings to light much-neglected interconnections between Büchner's Hegelian reading of Spinoza and his theories on nature and history.
"For Büchner scholars, Dr. Taylor's work will be indispensable, as it analyzes, for the first time, the highly complex dialectic relationship between a metaphysically founded 'Weltbild' and new, materialist thought as encountered in Büchner's works." ( Gerhard P. Knapp, The University of Utah)
"Taylor not only provides a much needed, in-depth analysis concerning Buechner's profoundly insightful interpretation of Spinozistic metaphysics, but also discloses how this interpretation is itself deeply affected by his understanding of Hegelian philosophy. ... Taylor's study makes clear how, in Buechner's play, tragic paradoxes occurring in the domain of history are inextricably interwoven with abstract, metaphysical concepts. Through his scholarly elucidation of this difficult relationship, he succeeds in showing how the 'historical' tragedy articulated in 'Dantons Tod' is complemented by and deepened through Buechner's depiction of the collapse of the 'metaphysical' absolutism which, by and large, constitutes the essentially idealistic theory of human freedom developed throughout the play." (Wolff A. von Schmidt, University of Utah)
"...Ergebnis einer gewaltigen Denkarbeit, die das Ansehen der Reihe 'Philosophy' der 'American University Studies' hebt." (Karlheinz Hasselbach, Monatshefte)
"The book convincingly demonstrates Taylors' brilliance." (Gustav Beckers, South Atlantic Review)
"Taylor not only provides a much needed, in-depth analysis concerning Buechner's profoundly insightful interpretation of Spinozistic metaphysics, but also discloses how this interpretation is itself deeply affected by his understanding of Hegelian philosophy. ... Taylor's study makes clear how, in Buechner's play, tragic paradoxes occurring in the domain of history are inextricably interwoven with abstract, metaphysical concepts. Through his scholarly elucidation of this difficult relationship, he succeeds in showing how the 'historical' tragedy articulated in 'Dantons Tod' is complemented by and deepened through Buechner's depiction of the collapse of the 'metaphysical' absolutism which, by and large, constitutes the essentially idealistic theory of human freedom developed throughout the play." (Wolff A. von Schmidt, University of Utah)
"...Ergebnis einer gewaltigen Denkarbeit, die das Ansehen der Reihe 'Philosophy' der 'American University Studies' hebt." (Karlheinz Hasselbach, Monatshefte)
"The book convincingly demonstrates Taylors' brilliance." (Gustav Beckers, South Atlantic Review)