The Foundational Ideas in the Philosophy of Dietrich von Hildebrand/The Christian Personalism of Dietrich von Hildebrand
2nd Annual Summer Seminar/1st Annual Summer Seminar
June 4, 6, and 7, 2012/July 25 – July 28, 2011
Although [Dietrich von Hildebrand] is indebted to certain philosophers closely associated with me (Scheler, Pfänder, Reinach), he never falls into patterns of slavish discipleship. He goes his own way as an independent thinker and often enough opens new perspectives.
Edmund Husserl
The second annual Hildebrand Project Summer Seminar, “The Foundational Ideas in the Philosophy of Dietrich von Hildebrand,” took place at the First Things offices in New York City in 2012. Dr. John F. Crosby led a series of discussions on the philosophical legacy of Dietrich von Hildebrand for a packed audience in this intimate setting.
This seminar centered around three important topics: (1) Hildbrand’s place within the Judeo-Christian tradition, (2) his ardent defense of objective moral values against relativism, and (3) the centrality of the heart in the life of the human person. these topics naturally extended into discussions of his rejection of nationalism, as well as beauty’s vital role in combatting the errors of the modern age.
The inaugural summer seminar (2011) was on a similar theme, “The Christian Personalism of Dietrich von Hildebrand,” presented by Dr. Crosby and Dr. Fritz Wenish. There were no recordings of this event, but it’s importance in the history of the Hildebrand Project cannot be overstated: what was conceived of as a few discussions for three summer fellows snowballed into a week of presentations to a full audience at St. Mary’s Basilica in Old Town, Alexandria (where the Hildebrand Project was then based). Thus began what has become our signature annual event, which has been vital in bringing Dietrich von Hildebrand’s work to life for a new generation of students and scholars.
The Philosophy of Dietrich von Hildebrand – Videos
The Place of Dietrich von Hildebrand within the Judeo-Christian Intellectual Tradition
"The Place of Dietrich von Hildebrand within the Judeo-Christian Intellectual Tradition" is the first part of our three part 2012 Summer Seminar, taught by Professor John F. Crosby at the First offices of First Things Magazine in New York City on June 5, 2012.
Dietrich von Hildebrand and the Renewal of Moral Philosophy
"Dietrich von Hildebrand and the Renewal of Moral Philosophy" is the second part of our three part 2012 Summer Seminar, taught by Professor John F. Crosby at the offices of First Things Magazine in New York City on June 6, 2012.
Dietrich von Hildebrand as Philosopher of the Heart
"Dietrich von Hildebrand as a Philosopher of the Heart" is the third and final part of our 2012 Summer Seminar, taught by Professor John F. Crosby at the offices of First Things Magazine in New York City on June 7, 2012.
Our Presenter
John F. Crosby
Professor Crosby was himself a student of Dietrich Hildebrand. Besides writing major studies on the thought of John Henry Newman, Max Scheler, and Karol Wojtyla/John Paul II, and making his own contributions to personalist philosophy, Prof. Crosby has devoted his long and distinguished academic career—first at the University of Dallas, then at the International Academy of Philosophy, and currently at Franciscan University of Steubenville—to introducing his students to the intellectual legacy of Hildebrand, and also to making Hildebrand better known in scholarly circles. Prof. Crosby was the translator of the English edition of Hildebrand’s philosophical masterpiece, The Nature of Love, and he also serves as the General Editor of all our present and future translations of Hildebrand’s works.