Behold The Philosopher

About the Book

Behold The Philosopher presents the development of the author as a philosopher, beginning with his childhood in New York City, through his introduction to philosophy at New York University, then his subsequent training as a research neurologist at Yale, and finally culminating in his departure from medical academia and embarkation into the life of an independent philosopher, totally apart from the conventions of academic philosophy. The epochs in one's life, as Henry David Thoreau once wrote, are one's "thoughts"; the author's thoughts form the central focus of his writings, which are reviewed in this philosophical autobiography. There is a clear metaphysical orientation throughout, as opposed to the analytic and scholarly approach of most contemporary university philosophers.

An interview with the author published in the literary magazine The Die is reproduced in full. The epilogue entitled "The Last Infirmity of the Noble Mind" summarizes the author's views on philosophy and the philosophic life. The very essence of philosophy is the discovery of the metaphysical mind. When a philosopher abandons this search for a tenuous membership in the institutions of science and takes on the habits accompanying them, he has abandoned his high calling in the cosmos. He has traded in the philosopher's venerable 'himation' for the dubious white coat of science.

About the Author

Richard Schain was born and educated in New York City. He obtained a B.A. (philosophy) and an M.D. degree at New York University. Subsequently, the author trained in neurology at Yale University and served as a professor on the faculties of UCLA and the Univ. of Nebraska. His life as an independent philosopher began in 1980 when he left academic life. Recent works of his include Reverence for the Soul (2001), The Legend of Nietzsche?s Syphilis (2001), Radical Metaphysics (2002) and In Love With Eternity (2005). Currently, he lives in Mexico with his spouse Melanie Dreisbach.