Edith Stein's Finite and Eternal Being

Sarah Borden Sharkey is professor of philosophy at Wheaton College.

• Part One: Contextual EssaysEssay I: The Structure, Method, and Argumentation of Finite and Eternal BeingEssay II: Sources and Context for Finite and Eternal BeingEssay III: The Significance of Finite and Eternal BeingPart Two: Synopsis of Finite and Eternal BeingForewordChapter One: Introduction: The Question of BeingChapter Two: Act and Potency as Ways-of-BeingChapter Three: Essential and Actual BeingChapter Four: Essence – essentia, ???s?a – Substance, Form, and MatterChapter Five: Be-ing as Such (Transcendentals)Chapter Six: The Meaning of BeingChapter Seven: The Image of the Trinity in CreationChapter Eight: The Meaning and Foundation of Individual-BeingAppendix I: Martin Heidegger’s Philosophy of ExistenceAppendix II: Teresa of Avila’s Interior CastleGlossary

Sarah Borden Sharkey’s companion to Edith Stein’s Finite and Eternal Being is a clearly and beautifully written and fascinating read for students, scholars, and indeed anyone with an interest in Stein’s magnum opus. Its three initial essays, shedding light on the work’s argument, its context and its potential contributions to contemporary debates are deeply insightful and highly thought provoking. 'Essay III' could be studied on its own with a view of thinking through the implications of Stein’s work for a renewed understanding of metaphysics as ,first, the philosophy of being.The close reading of Stein’s text that follows is written by a master whose engagement with the work is long standing. She is unwilling to say things she cannot stand over, so when she is puzzled by Stein’s choices, she will let it shine through. This will facilitate future readings that have the advantage of knowing Borden’s introduction. For these reasons it will be the first port of call for many students of the Stein's work, and it will lay the foundation for many detailed investigations of the problemata listed in Essay III.