Published In
Back to Redemption: an International Rosenzweig Society Conference
Document Type
Pre-Print
Publication Date
2-17-2019
Subjects
Franz Rosenzweig (1886-1929), Star of Redemption, Systems theory, Metaphysics, Theology, Diagrams, Creation, Revelation, Redemption, Elements, Relations, Attributes, Judaism
Abstract
This paper explores Rosenzweig’s idea of Redemption by an interpretative examination of the conceptual structures of the Star. These structures, in which Redemption is integrated with the other two relations, Creation and Revelation, and with the three elements of God, World, and Human, are examined from the perspective of contemporary systems theory. Moses, Pollock, and others have noted the systematic character of the Star. While “systematic” does not necessarily mean “systems-theoretic,” the philosophical theology of the Star and its core hexad of elements and relations exemplify many ideas salient in the systems theory literature. The hexadic star itself fits the classic definition of “system,” and the Yes and No of Rosenzweig’s elements and their reversals illustrate the bridging, in this definition, of element and relation with the third category of “attribute.” Rosenzweig’s thought resonates with the opposing ontological and epistemological conceptions of “system,” the constitutiveness of function as well as structure, and the diachronics of system formation which are fundamental to systems thought. In its notions of All, Nothing, One, and Many, the Star also offers a systems metaphysics of number. In this paper, the systems character of the Star is illustrated by extensive use of diagrams. Remarkably, given its highly architectonic character, diagrams are absent in Rosenzweig’s book, except for the triangle of elements, the triangle of relations, and the hexadic star that open its three parts. While conceptual structure can be explicated entirely in words, diagrams supplement words with a visual medium of communication that is deeply concordant with the Star’s message and that supports a nonverbal dimension of understanding encompassing both intellect and experience.
Rights
This is the pre-print version. The paper was expanded into a later article, published in Naharaim, entitled "Words and Diagrams About Rosenzweig's Star": https://doi.org/10.1515/naha-2019-0019
Persistent Identifier
https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/42735
Citation Details
Martin Zwick (2019). "Diachronics of Redemption: A Systems Theoretic View of Rosenzweig’s Star," presented at “Back to Redemption,” an International Rosenzweig Society Conference, February 17-20, 2019, Van Leer Institute, Jerusalem, Israel.