Orphan Philosophy
Eugen Rosenstock-Huessy's *In the Cross of Reality,* the first volume of his *Sociology*:
"Rene Descartes' mother died shortly after childbirth. . . . He never found relief from the formal strictness prevalent among grown men, with its presumption of standing by one's given world. Prematurely, this child had no choice but to take a stand. But where no mother's lap exists . . . the motherless child must try as calmly and imperturbably as possible to learn to stand" (281-2). Later he calls the Cogito a "deep sigh" from a man characterized by the "boyish seriousness of the unprotected, seeking safety in his thought so that he will not be laughed at" (287).
Rosenstock-Huessy is contrasting Descartes to Nietzsche, whose father died when he was 5.
He thinks this two form the bookends of modern philosophy, from motherless Cartesianism to fatherless nihilism.
Peter Leithart
Peter J. Leithart is President of Theopolis Institute. He is the author of numerous books on theology, literature, and culture, including Theopolitan, Defending Constantine, and Baptized Body.
In Medias Res
Your weekly digest for all things Theopolis.