German idealism : the struggle against subjectivism, 1781-1801 /Frederick C. Beiser

One of the very few accounts in English of German idealism, this ambitious work advances and revises our understanding of both the history and the thought of the classical period of German philosophy. As he traces the structure and evolution of idealism as a doctrine, Frederick Beiser exposes a strong objective, or realist, strain running from Kant to Hegel and identifies the crucial role of the early romantics--Hoelderlin, Schlegel, and Novalis--as the founders of absolute idealism. Traditionally, German idealism is understood as a radical form of subjectivism that expands the powers of the self to encompass the entire world. But Beiser reveals a different--in fact, opposite--impulse: an attempt to limit the powers of the subject. Between Kant and Hegel he finds a movement away from cosmic subjectivity and toward greater realism and naturalism, with one form of idealism succeeding another as each proved an inadequate basis for explaining the reality of the external world and the place of the self in nature. Thus German idealism emerges here not as a radical development of the Cartesian tradition of philosophy, but as the first important break with that tradition. One Of The Very Few Accounts In English Of German Idealism, This Ambitious Work Advances And Revises Our Understanding Of Both The History And The Thought Of The Classical Period Of German Philosophy. As He Traces The Structure And Evolution Of Idealism As A Doctrine, Frederick Beiser Exposes A Strong Objective, Or Realist, Strain Running From Kant To Hegel And Identifies The Crucial Role Of The Early Romantics--hölderlin, Schlegel, And Novalis--as The Founders Of Absolute Idealism. Traditionally, German Idealism Is Understood As A Radical Form Of Subjectivism That Expands The Powers Of The Self To Encompass The Entire World. But Beiser Reveals A Different--in Fact, Opposite--impulse: An Attempt To Limit The Powers Of The Subject. Between Kant And Hegel He Finds A Movement Away From Cosmic Subjectivity And Toward Greater Realism And Naturalism, With One Form Of Idealism Succeeding Another As Each Proved An Inadequate Basis For Explaining The Reality Of The External World And The Place Of The Self In Nature. Thus German Idealism Emerges Here Not As A Radical Development Of The Cartesian Tradition Of Philosophy, But As The First Important Break With That Tradition. I. Kant's Critique Of Idealism -- Introduction: Kant And The Problem Of Subjectivism -- 1. Idealism In The Precritical Years -- 2. Transcendental Idealism And Empirical Realism -- 3. The First Edition Refutation Of Skeptical Idealism -- 4. The First Edition Refutation Of Dogmatic Idealism -- 5. Kant And Berkeley -- 6. The Second Edition Refutation Of Problematic Idealism -- 7. Kant And The Way Of Ideas -- 8. The Transcendental Subject -- 9. The Status Of The Transcendental -- 10. Kant's Idealism In The Opus Postumum -- Ii. Fichte's Critique Of Subjectivism -- Introduction: The Interpretation Of Fichte's Idealism -- 1. Fichte And The Subjectivist Tradition -- 2. The Battle Against Skepticism -- 3. Criticism Versus Dogmatism -- 4. Freedom And Subjectivity -- 5. Knowledge Of Freedom -- 6. Critical Idealism -- 7. The Refutation Of Idealism -- 8. The Structure Of Intersubjectivity -- Iii. Absolute Idealism -- 1. Absolute Idealism: General Introduction -- 2. Holderlin And Absolute Idealism -- 3. Novalis' Magical Idealism -- 4. Friedrich Schlegel's Absolute Idealism -- Iv. Schelling And Absolute Idealism-- Introduction: The Troublesome Schellingian Legacy -- 1. The Path Toward Absolute Idealism -- 2. The Development Of Naturphilosophie -- 3. Schelling's Break With Fichte -- 4. Problems, Methods, And Concepts Of Naturphilosophie -- 5. Theory Of Life And Matter -- 6. Schelling's Absolute Idealism -- 7. The Dark Night Of The Absolute -- 8. Absolute Knowledge. Frederick C. Beiser. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 695-720) And Index. Contents......Page 12 Introduction......Page 20 I. Kant’s Critique of Idealism......Page 34 Introduction: Kant and the Problem of Subjectivism......Page 36 1. Idealism in the Precritical Years......Page 46 2. Transcendental Idealism and Empirical Realism......Page 67 3. The First Edition Refutation of Skeptical Idealism......Page 80 4. The First Edition Refutation of Dogmatic Idealism......Page 94 5. Kant and Berkeley......Page 107 6. The Second Edition Refutation of Problematic Idealism......Page 123 7. Kant and the Way of Ideas......Page 151 8. The Transcendental Subject......Page 187 9. The Status of the Transcendental......Page 182 10. Kant’s Idealism in the Opus postumum......Page 199 II. Fichte’s Critique of Subjectivism......Page 234 Introduction: The Interpretation of Fichte’s Idealism......Page 236 1. Fichte and the Subjectivist Tradition......Page 242 2. The Battle against Skepticism......Page 259 3. Criticism versus Dogmatism......Page 279 4. Freedom and Subjectivity......Page 292 5. Knowledge of Freedom......Page 308 6. Critical Idealism......Page 326 7. The Refutation of Idealism......Page 339 8. The Structure of Intersubjectivity......Page 353 III. Absolute Idealism......Page 366 1. Absolute Idealism: General Introduction......Page 368 2. Hölderlin and Absolute Idealism......Page 394 3. Novalis’ Magical Idealism......Page 426 4. Friedrich Schlegel’s Absolute Idealism......Page 454 IV. Schelling and Absolute Idealism......Page 482 Introduction: The Troublesome Schellingian Legacy......Page 484 1. The Path toward Absolute Idealism......Page 488 2. The Development of Naturphilosophie......Page 502 3. Schelling’s Break with Fichte......Page 510 4. Problems, Methods, and Concepts of Naturphilosophie......Page 525 5. Theory of Life and Matter......Page 548 6. Schelling’s Absolute Idealism......Page 570 7. The Dark Night of the Absolute......Page 584 8. Absolute Knowledge......Page 596 Notes......Page 616 Bibliography......Page 714 Index......Page 740 One of the very few accounts in English of German idealism, this ambitious work advances and revises our understanding of both the history and the thought of the classical period of German philosophy. As he traces the structure and evolution of idealism as a doctrine, Frederick Beiser exposes a strong objective, or realist, strain running from Kant to Hegel and identifies the crucial role of the early romantics—H?lderlin, Schlegel, and Novalis—as the founders of absolute idealism. (20030124)