The Travel-journal of a Philosopher, published in 1919, remains the most recognized work by Hermann von Keyserling. This extensive account detailed his experiences across Asia, America, and Southern Europe. Born into an aristocratic family in the Governorate of Livonia, his intellectual trajectory transitioned from natural science to a sustained focus on philosophical inquiry throughout the early twentieth century.
Academic Background and Early Interests
Born in 1880 at Könno Manor, Keyserling attended the Imperial University of Dorpat, Heidelberg University, and the University of Vienna. His initial academic pursuits were rooted in the natural sciences, specifically geology, a field also practiced by his grandfather, Alexander von Keyserling. Before the outbreak of World War I, he established a reputation as a student of geology and a contributor of essays.
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Following the Russian Revolution, which resulted in the loss of his Livonian estate, Keyserling utilized his remaining financial resources to establish the Gesellschaft für Freie Philosophie in Darmstadt. Known as the School of Wisdom, this organization aimed to foster an intellectual reorientation within Germany. During this period, he articulated a perspective favoring international, democratic principles over the traditional policies of German militarism.
Political and Philosophical Contributions
Keyserling was the first individual to utilize the term Führerprinzip in his writings. His philosophical output was prolific, encompassing titles such as The Book of the Origin, Creative Knowledge, South American Meditations, and Philosophy as Art. His memoir, Journey Through Time, was published posthumously in 1958. He maintained an interest in the structural analysis of world events, as evidenced by works like The Global Revolution and the Responsibility of the Spirit and The Spectrum of Europe.
Fast facts
- Born: 1880, Kõnnu
- Died: 1946, Innsbruck
- Citizenship: Germany, Russian Empire
- Primary Occupations: Philosopher, naturalist, writer
- Spouse: Countess Maria Goedela von Bismarck-Schönhausen
- Son: Arnold von Keyserling
- Burial Site: Neuer Friedhof Mühlau
Questions readers ask
What was the mission of the School of Wisdom?
Founded in Darmstadt, its objective was to initiate an intellectual reorientation of Germany.
Did Keyserling support German militarism?
No, he believed that militarism was a failed policy and advocated for the adoption of international, democratic principles.
Achievements
- Fields: creative and professional writing and philosophy
