Autobiographical reflections

In this intellectual autobiography, the political philosopher Eric Voegelin looks back on the forces that shaped his thinking. He traces how his ideas developed in stages, from his early motivations through the gradual formation of a philosophy centred on consciousness, and marks the discoveries that changed his direction. Readers encounter the groundwork of his account of history and his analysis of what has gone wrong in the politics of the modern era.

The author, a German-American thinker, is seen here reassessing the Western intellectual tradition on his own terms. His reflections show how he came to question the accepted views of history and thought that he had inherited.

This revised edition adds a glossary that defines and illustrates the key terms of his writing, with particular attention to Greek vocabulary, along with an expanded index of names, subjects, ideas and works. Together these make it a practical companion for anyone studying his writings in depth.