Review of Eric S. Nelson, ed. Interpreting Dilthey: Critical Essays (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2019)

This wide-ranging, authoritative collection, edited by Eric S. Nelson, has the format of a Companion. It isn't labeled such since Wilhelm Dilthey has not yet attained the status of a canonized philosopher, perhaps due to the dearth of English translations of his writings, and even more to their intricacy. There is now, however, the landmark six-volume translation of Dilthey's major work, edited by Rudolf Makkreel and Frithjof Rodi (Princeton University Press, 1989-2019). Given the translation, this collection may well turn attention to Dilthey's work. This may happen soon given the emerging perception that philosophy is about both research and innovation, for Dilthey was indeed the author of quite well constructed and well pursued innovative philosophical strategies. Although it dates back to the turn of the twentieth century, Dilthey's work remains enormously relevant to current debates about science policy, art and literature, the biographical and autobiographical self, knowledge, language, science, culture, history, society, psychology, and the embodied self.