The Relationship between the Acceptance of Nietzsche's Thought and the Free Jewish House of Study in the Jewish Renaissance: from the Perspective of Intellectual History

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26770036
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: History of thought
• Research Institution: Hokkai-Gakuen University
• Principal Investigator: SATO TAKASHI 北海学園大学, 人文学部, 准教授 (70445138)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: フランツ・ローゼンツヴァイク / マルティン・ブーバー / レオ・シュトラウス / ニーチェ / 自由ユダヤ学院 / ユダヤ・ルネサンス / ユダヤ学 / 歴史主義

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study considered the Jewish Renaissance in Germany in the twentieth century from two perspectives: acceptance of Nietzsche's thought and the political-educational function of the Free Jewish House of Study (Freies Juedisches Lehrhaus). Regarding the first aspect, we clarified that Nietzsche's modern criticism had a great influence on many Jewish thinkers, the ideas of Martin Buber in particular. Regarding the second aspect, it became clear that there is a need to consider the Free Jewish House of Study in relation to the formation of Jewish Studies (Wissenschaft des Judentums) in the nineteenth century. Through these two results, this study could provide useful clues to elucidate the complex development of modern Judaism in Germany.

Free Research Field

思想史・宗教学