1001Philosophers

Karl Lowith 1897 – 1973

Karl Lowith (1897 – 1973) was a German philosopher of the Contemporary era, associated with Continental Philosophy.

Karl Lowith was a German philosopher and a student of Husserl and Heidegger. His doctoral thesis, completed under Heidegger, was followed by a long period of exile in Italy, Japan, and the United States after the rise of National Socialism. His Meaning in History and From Hegel to Nietzsche developed the influential thesis that the modern philosophy of history is a secularization of Christian eschatology, and that the modern attempt to find meaning in history is a transformed version of the religious hope it tried to leave behind. He returned to Heidelberg in 1952.

Key facts

Nationality
German
Era
Contemporary
Movements
Continental Philosophy

Selected quotes

  • Attributed to Karl Lowith:

    “Modernity is secularized eschatology.”

  • Attributed to Karl Lowith:

    “Meaning in history is a theological residue.”

  • Attributed to Karl Lowith:

    “Nature has no need of human meaning.”

  • Attributed to Karl Lowith:

    “The progressive idea of history depends on the Christian idea of providence even when it denies it.”

  • Attributed to Karl Lowith:

    “Without God, history is a meaningless succession of events.”

Read all Karl Lowith quotes

Karl Lowith by topic

Frequently asked about Karl Lowith

When did Karl Lowith live?
Karl Lowith was born in 1897 and died in 1973.
Where was Karl Lowith from?
Karl Lowith was a German philosopher of the Contemporary era.
What philosophical movements is Karl Lowith associated with?
Karl Lowith was associated with Continental Philosophy.
What was Karl Lowith known for?
Karl Lowith was a German philosopher and a student of Husserl and Heidegger.
How many quotes are attributed to Karl Lowith?
There are 9 attributed quotations from Karl Lowith in the 1001Philosophers collection, organized by topic.