Gerda Walther’s Phenomenology of Sociality, Psychology, and Religion

This book explores the philosophical writings of Gerda Walther (1897–1977). It features essays thatrecover large parts of Walther’s oeuvre in order to show her contribution to phenomenologyand philosophy. In addition, the volume contains an English translation of part of hermajor work on mysticism. The essays consider the interdisciplinary implications of Gerda Walther’s ideas. A student of Edmund Husserl, Edith Stein, and Alexander Pfänder, she wrotefoundational studies on the ego, community, mysticism and religion, and consciousness. Her discussions of empathy, identification, the ego and ego-consciousness,alterity, God, mysticism, sensation, intentionality, sociality, politics, and woman arerelevant not only to phenomenology and philosophy but also to scholars of religion, women’s and gender studies, sociology, political science, and psychology. Gerda Walther was one of the important figures of the early phenomenologicalmovement. However, as a woman, she could not habilitate at a Germanuniversity and was, therefore, denied a position. Her complete works have yet to bepublished. This ground-breaking volume not only helps readers discover a vital voice but it also demonstrates the significant contributions of women to early phenomenological thinking.