Eric Voegelinâs Ecumenic Age and Beyond

Wolfgang Leidhold

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Eric Voegelinâs Ecumenic Age and Beyond

In: The Unity of Mankind and the Conversation of Civilizations

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Wolfgang Leidhold

Wolfgang Leidhold
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Type:: Chapter

Pages:: 3â47

DOI:: https://doi.org/10.30965/9783846769607_002

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Abstract

Based on various conversations with Eric Voegelin, the essay sheds light on the genesis, main positions, and background of The Ecumenic Age. The focus is on those aspects of the book that are new in comparison to Voegelinâs earlier works. The most important points are the departure from the conventional history of ideas towards a history of experience, the transformation of historical dynamics from a unilinear process to a multidimensional field, the identification of the epochal phenomenon of ecumenic empires, and the exploration of the Question as a genuine symbolic form. After that, Voegelinâs principle of seeing historical dynamics as a development from compact to differentiated symbolic forms is discussed. This ultimately leads to a new approach in explaining historical dynamics, replacing the emphasis on the content of experience by a focus on its structure. Experience is defined as conscious participation, and accordingly experiences change when new types of participation evolve. From deep history to the present day, such âexperiential turnsâ took place a total of nine times. Going beyond the positions of The Ecumenic Age corresponds to Voegelinâs own way of working: adapting his theories to new challenges by introducing new approaches. We can best do justice to his legacy by continuing this process.

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The Unity of Mankind and the Conversation of Civilizations

Reflections on the Basis of Eric Voegelinâs The Ecumenic Age

Series:Â Eric Voegelin Studies: Yearbook, Volume: 4

Cover The Unity of Mankind and the Conversation of Civilizations

E-Book ISBN:: 9783846769607

Publisher:: Brill | Fink

Print Publication Date:: 22 Jul 2025

Subjects
- Philosophy
  - Social & Political Philosophy

Front Matter

Part I The Unity of Mankind and the Conversation of Civilizations. Reflections on the Basis of Eric Voegelinâs The Ecumenic Age

Part II Voegelinâs Intellectual Environment

Part III Selected Book Reviews

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Eric Voegelinâs Ecumenic Age and Beyond

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The Unity of Mankind and the Conversation of Civilizations

Reflections on the Basis of Eric Voegelinâs The Ecumenic Age

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Eric Voegelinâs Ecumenic Age and Beyond

Reflections on the Basis of Eric Voegelinâs The Ecumenic Age