An in-depth study of the thought of contemporary Spanish philosopher Julian Marias, in the context of Ortega y Gasset and his times and twentieth-century Spanish culture.In A Watch Over Mortality, Harold Raley offers the English-speaking world Julian Marias's compelling alternatives to contemporary minimalist thought, and does so in a dynamic style that itself reflects the humane spirit and verve of what may well prove to be the most innovative philosophy of modern times. Here for the first time Marias's philosophy is revealed in its full historical depth, its many interrelated levels, its fascinating apercus, and its real or possible applicability to many humanistic disciplines.In order to do justice to Marias and his way of thinking, Raley narrates the evolution of this philosophy from early antecedents in Germanic and Ortegan phenomenology to Marias's own original contributions. For this reason A Watch Over Mortality is not only a book about Marias but also about Ortega y Gasset and his times, about twentieth-century Spanish culture, and, ultimately, about the nature of Spain itself. The book is itself an exercise in the very method and style of the philosophy it explicates."Well written and well thought out, this book brings us up to date on Marias by including the latest (and concluding) items in his substantial corpus of works. Author Harold Raley does for Marias tried to do for Ortega y Gasset, except that he does it better. He explicates, clarifies, justifies, and defines Marias thought as a whole in the context of his life and his long-term relation to Ortega. His grasp of the issues is confident and convincing; his style is lucid and readable." -- John T. Graham, University of Missouri, Kansas City