A New Critique of Theoretical Thought. Deel 1. The Necessary Presuppositions of Philosophy

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Translators' preface

The year 1926 marks a milestone in the development of Christian philosophy. On October 15th Dr Herman Dooyeweerd became professor of philosophy and history of law in the Free University of Amsterdam. In his inaugural address, Dooyeweerd, seeking a distinctively Christian foundation for his own special field of Jurisprudence, found himself involved in more general philosophical questions. Between 1926 and the present, Dooyeweerd has been instrumental in the founding of a new movement in Christian philosophy. A rather extensive literature has appeared during these years, the chief works being Dooyeweerd's De Wijsbegeerte der Wetsidee, 3 Volumes (1935-36), (of which this work is a translation with the author's revisions), a small work in English, Transcendental Problems of Philosophic Thought (1948), and the first volume of a new trilogy, Reformatie en Scholastiek in de Wijsbegeerte (Reformation and Scholasticism in Philosophy) (1949), several works by Prof. Dr H.Th. Vollenhoven, including De Noodzakelijkheid eener Christelijke Logica (The Necessity of a Christian Logic (1932) and Het Calvinisme en de Reformatie van de Wijsbegeerte (Calvinism and the Reformation of Philosophy) (1933) and the first volume of a series on the History of Philosophy (1950), a quarterly journal Philosophia Reformata (1936-1953), as well as a number of smaller works, including J.M. Spier's splendid introduction to the philosophy of Dooyeweerd, which has been translated into English under the title, An Introduction to Christian Philosophy, published by the Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company.

Though Dutch in its inception, this new Christian philosophy has proved itself to be international in character. Its adherents are to be found throughout the world. But up until now only those who read the Dutch language could acquire a substantial knowledge of the movement.

The publication of Volume 1 is to be followed by Volumes 2,

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3 and 4. Volume 2 is devoted to an analysis of the inter-relationships of the various aspects of our world and to a detailed treatment of epistemology. Volume 3 sets forth an elaborate theory of individual things and social structures. Volume 4 will contain an extensive index of the entire work.

Dooyeweerd was a student at the Free University of Amsterdam, under Professors Fabius, Anema and P.A. Diepenhorst. He received the doctor's degree in jurisprudence at the age of 22, with a thesis on ‘The Cabinet in Dutch Constitutional Law.’

Before his acceptance of his post at the Free University he served as manager of the Abraham Kuyper Foundation and established the political quarterly, Antirevolutionaire Staatkunde. As a systematic philosopher Dooyeweerd displays tremendous intellectual powers which assure him a place among the leading contemporary philosophers.

American and English philosophers of many persuasions, who are often annoyed by the disparagement of science on the part of some contemporary continental philosophers, will find Dooyeweerd's respect for science refreshing. Students of modern philosophy will be interested in his historical analysis of the development of modern Humanistic thought. Dooyeweerd's own positive contribution will be of special interest to those concerned with the problems of Christian philosophy and the philosophy of religion. But not to these only, since it has raised new problems in ontology, epistemology, anthropology and science which are of great concern to every thinker generally. From the standpoint of the history of ideas anyone who wishes to know the significant tendencies of current modern thought, must take cognizance of this movement.

In translating we have sought, in compliance with the wishes of the author, to give as literal a translation as is in keeping with ordinary English usage. The presence of new philosophical terms in the original has led us occassionally to coin words in English which are not a part of a general philosophic vocabulary. Part I and chapters 5 and 6 of part II have been translated by Professor Young. The remainder of part II and part III have been translated by Professor Freeman. Inasmuch as the translators are indebted to each other for advice and aid, the work is a joint undertaking in its entirety.

The support of the Dutch Government, in the form of a subsidy given by the Nederlandse Organisatie voor zuiver Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, greatly encouraged the publication of this

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English edition. Grateful acknowledgement is also due to Dr Samuel G. Craig, President of the Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company, whose interest in the work has been cultural rather than mercenary.

The translators are under great obligation to Professor Dooyeweerd, for reading the rough draft of the translation and making many suggestions and corrections; to Professor William Welmers, of Cornell University, to Professor George P. Rice, George Barber and Gordon H. Clark, of Butler University, to Professor Elizabeth Flower, of the University of Pennsylvania, to Mr Joseph Zimbrolt, for their advice and criticism on matters of English style; to Mr H. de Jongste, for his assistance in proof reading; to Rev. Harold Andersen and Miss Gloria Erickson for their help with the typing; and to Mrs Freeman, for her aid with certain Dutch idioms.

The Translators:

David Hugh Freeman, Wilson College.

William Young, Butler University.

1953