Edith Stein and the Perennial and First Philosophy

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29166/csociales.v1i49.9757

Keywords:

Edith Stein, perennial philosophy, phenomenology, metaphysics, first philosophy

Abstract

This article examines the relationship between Edith Stein’s thought and the notion of perennial philosophy, understood as the search for universal truths. It argues that Stein’s proposal goes beyond descriptive phenomenology by orienting itself toward a first philosophy of an ontological nature. Through a dialogue with the classical tradition, especially Aristotle, it shows how her approach integrates modern methodological rigor with an openness to metaphysics. It also explores tensions among contemporary interpretations of perennial philosophy, particularly in contrast with more spiritually oriented perspectives. Finally, the article argues that Stein’s work makes it possible to articulate a synthesis between phenomenology and metaphysics, recovering fundamental questions concerning being, truth, and essence.

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References

Aristóteles. (1985). Ética nicomáquea. Ética eudemia (J. Pallí Bonet, Trad.). Gredos.

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Huxley, A. (1945). The perennial philosophy. Harper.

Leibniz, G. W. (1887). Die philosophischen Schriften von Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (C. I. Gerhardt, Ed., Vol. 3). Weidmann.

Ortega y Gasset, J. (2006). Defensa del teólogo frente al místico. En Fundación José Ortega y

Gasset (Ed.), Obras completas (Vol. 5, 1932–1940, pp. 725–732). Taurus.

Racionero, Q. (1990). Introducción. En Aristóteles, Retórica (Q. Racionero, Trad. e introd., pp. 7–133). Gredos.

Stein, E. (2008). ¿Qué es filosofía? Un diálogo entre Edmund Husserl y Tomás de Aquino. En

J. Urkiza & F. J. Sancho (Eds.), Obras completas (Vol. 3, Escritos filosóficos: Etapa de pensamiento cristiano, 1921–1936, pp. 167–194). Editorial Monte Carmelo.

Published

2026-08-11

How to Cite

Castro, E. (2026). Edith Stein and the Perennial and First Philosophy. Revista Ciencias Sociales, 1(49), 107–115. https://doi.org/10.29166/csociales.v1i49.9757