This book offers tools for a deeper reading and understanding of Edith Stein’s Philosophy of Psychology and the Humanities
Edith Stein’s Philosophy of Psychology and the Humanities is a pioneering exploration of the intersection between psychology, philosophy, and human sciences. Written in the aftermath of World War I, the book delves into the interplay between individual and collective experience, examining how empathy, motivation, and causality shape our understanding of human behaviour. Through a meticulous phenomenological approach, Stein analyses prevailing psychological theories and highlights the necessity of integrating the spiritual and material dimensions of human existence. In this timeless contribution to philosophy, psychology, and social thought, Stein challenges disciplinary boundaries and anticipates debates on interdisciplinary research, offering a unique framework for understanding the human person not only as an individual but also as a participant in societal structures. This companion emphasizes the ways in which Stein’s analysis persists as a call for a holistic approach to the complexities of human experience.
Edited by:
Valentina Gaudiano
Imprint: Rowman & Littlefield
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions:
Height: 229mm,
Width: 152mm,
ISBN: 9781666945119
ISBN 10: 1666945110
Series: Edith Stein Studies
Pages: 192
Publication Date: 22 January 2026
Audience:
College/higher education
,
Further / Higher Education
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
About the Contributors Introduction, Valentina Gaudiano Section I: Contextual Essays 1. Context, Structure and Method, Valentina Gaudiano 2. Person and Act Intention: A Contextual Analysis, Anna Jani 3. Influence, James McGuirk Section II: Synopsis of Edith Stein’s Philosophy of Psychology and the Humanities 4. Synopsis, Mette Lebech a. Preface b. First Treatise: Sentient Causality c. Second Treatise: Individual and Community Questions and Answers a. Concerning the Methodology b. Concerning the Content Further Reading Index
Valentina Gaudiano is Associate Professor of Philosophical Anthropology at Sophia University Institute by Florence.
Reviews for Edith Stein's Philosophy of Psychology and the Humanities: A Companion
Edith Stein’s Philosophy of Psychology and the Humanities is one of her best books. In it, we discover the role played by the philosophical-phenomenological analysis in two directions: the description of the human being and the relationship between phenomenology, psychology, and the human sciences. All this emerges in the book edited by Valentina Gaudiano, as she pinpoints in her introduction. We find in Section I the important contributions of Anna Jani and James McGuirk describing the context in which Edith Stein wrote her book. For its comprehension, essential is Mette Lebech’s description of the content in Section II and her suggestion of the philosophical questions which arise by reading it. The message underlined in this companion is that philosophical-phenomenological anthropology is necessary for the foundation of psychology and of the human sciences. We notice that it is the innovative position of the “classical” phenomenology, as it is proposed by Edmund Husserl and Edith Stein, and it is the pivotal point which we find in the book, very convincing from a theoretical point of view. -- Angela Ales Bello, Professor Emerita * Pontificia Università del Laterano *