Endliches und ewiges Sein

work by Stein

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June 26, 2026

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Endliches und ewiges Sein (Finite and Eternal Being) is a significant metaphysical work by Edith Stein, a philosopher, Carmelite nun, and martyr. Published in 1937, it represents her attempt to synthesize the philosophies of Edmund Husserl, the founder of phenomenology, and St. Thomas Aquinas, a prominent medieval philosopher and theologian.1

The work explores the relationship between finite existence and eternal being, delving into concepts such as possibility, essence, and transcendence. Stein sought to bridge the gap between phenomenological inquiry and Thomistic metaphysics, examining the structure of human existence and its connection to a higher, eternal reality. Her philosophical endeavors were deeply influenced by her personal journey from Judaism to Roman Catholicism and her profound spiritual experiences.12

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Edith Stein
…she completed her metaphysical work Endliches und ewiges Sein (“Finite and Eternal Being”), an attempt to synthesize the diverse philosophies of Aquinas and Husserl. Other philosophical and spiritual works followed. In 1938, with the Nazi threat growing, she was transferred to the Carmelite convent at Echt in the Netherlands, where…
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…she completed her metaphysical work Endliches und ewiges Sein (“Finite and Eternal Being”), an attempt to synthesize the diverse philosophies of Aquinas and Husserl. Other philosophical and spiritual works followed. In 1938, with the Nazi threat growing, she was transferred to the Carmelite convent at Echt in the Netherlands, where…
Read More