This book uses the work of Hans-Georg Gadamer to paint a picture of a creative, communal and hopeful modernity once promised, but almost forgotten behind ‘end of history’ and ‘clash of civilizations’ predictions. As the foremost heir of Heidegger and father of modern hermeneutics, Gadamer's thought has primarily been associated with language and dialogue. But in this book we see him as a metaphysically robust philosopher advancing a fresh ontology, and an ethical vision. Through close reading of his essays on philosophy and beauty,  health and nature, community and conflict, these chapters bring to light Gadamer’s distinctive redefinition of key concepts like being, truth, value, spirituality, and communal flourishing on a global scale. Engaging with relevant theorists such as Heidegger, Deleuze, Levinas, Derrida, Zizek, Taylor, and Sloterdijk, what emerges is a ‘Modern Sublime’ perspective through which Gadamer situates us positively within the world. His picture of reality as a dynamic, infinite whole that is constantly growing through us, aims to make us creatively empowered by our place in the ever-expanding universe, rather than fearfully overwhelmed by postmodernity's challenges.

Jessica Frazier is Lecturer in the Study of Religions at the University of Oxford. She works on both Western and Asian philosophies, with a special interest in the metaphysics of Being, the phenomenology of the Self, and approaches to the Good.