Voegelin Recollected: Conversations on a Life

Although his contributions to philosophy are revered and his writings have been collected, Eric Voegelin s persona will inevitably fade with the memories of those who knew him. This book preserves the human element of Voegelin by capturing those personal recollections. Cooper and Bruhn conducted interviews with Voegelin s wife, his closest friends, and his first-generation students. Episodes of pathos, humor, fear, rivalry, and ambition are interwoven throughout the accounts. We witness Voegelin s persistent and partly self-imposed communication problems and impatience with administrative duties; his respect for prudent political actors and public servants; and his genuine affection not only for his colleagues and best students but also for diligent secretaries and empathetic nurses. Key elements of his personality repeatedly emerge: his intelligence, optimism, and integrity, combined with an acute perception of the significance of his work.