The Idea of the Holy

Name: The Idea of the Holy
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ISBN: 9781025729138

Rudolf Otto, John W Harvey

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English

Tradd Street Press
14 February 2026

Philosophy of religion; Theology

Summary
Details

""The Idea of the Holy"" stands as one of the most influential works in the philosophy of religion and theology produced in the twentieth century. In this profound inquiry, Rudolf Otto explores the non-rational factor in the idea of the divine and its relation to the rational. Central to the work is the concept of the ""numinous""-a unique category of value and a state of mind that exists independently of ethical or intellectual components. Otto famously characterizes the experience of the numinous as a mysterium tremendum et fascinans: a mystery that is both terrifying in its power and irresistible in its beauty.

By shifting the focus from purely moral or philosophical definitions of God to the actual experience of the sacred, Otto provides a framework for understanding why religion persists as a powerful human force. He examines how feelings of awe, majesty, and ""creature-feeling"" shape religious consciousness across different cultures and traditions. This work remains essential reading for students of theology, philosophy, and the history of religions, offering deep insights into the nature of religious feeling and the essence of the holy.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

By: Rudolf Otto, John W Harvey
Imprint: Tradd Street Press
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 156mm, Spine: 14mm
Weight: 372g
ISBN: 9781025729138
ISBN 10: 1025729137
Pages: 262
Publication Date: 14 February 2026
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active