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A life
: Relapsed Catholic recommends a remarkable obituary for a remarkable man, Emil Fackenheim, philosopher, historian, Holocaust survivor:
Sometimes, I thought Emil was Job himself, but without the complaints. I never saw him yield, or ask, “Why me?” –that question we ask ourselves when we lose our sense of our own proportion in the universe.
I think the author, Norman Doidge, got a little too carried away:
*The greatest philosopher of Judaism of the second half of the 20th century died just days ago in Jerusalem.*
I find his superlative “the greatest” very offensive. Other people would argue the greatest is someone else.
Much of the descriptions of this man’s behavior and choices in life are very controversial.
What pray tell is controversial and ‘very offensive’ about this, button? Are writers not entitled to their opinions (if they happen to disagree with yours)? Sheesh, anyone who can read that article and find it offensive has a screw loose.
I think, given the relationship (described in the article) that Fackenheim had with Doidge, especially during and after his mother’s death, Doidge might be forgiven a little hyperbole.
I’m not a big fan of his “jewish philosophy”–largely due to my own idiosyncrasies–but his work on Kant and Hegel is excellent. It is also well regarded among many respected scholars in the field. I see little hyperbole in that obituary. Would that I could retain such dignity and intelligence in so trying a set of circumstances.