Hamann: Writings on Philosophy and Language (Cambridge Texts in the History of Philosophy)

Johann Georg Hamann (1730–88) is a major figure not only in German philosophy but also in literature and religious history. In his own time he wrote penetrating criticisms of Herder, Kant, Mendelssohn, and other Enlightenment thinkers; after his death he was an important figure for Goethe, Hegel, Kierkegaard, and others. It was only in the twentieth century, however, that the full and radical extent of his'linguistic'critique of philosophy was recognized. This volume presents a translation of a wide selection of his essays, including both famous and lesser-known works. Hamann's enigmatic prose-style was deliberately at odds with Enlightenment assumptions about language, and a full apparatus of annotation explains the numerous allusions in his essays. The volume is completed by a historical and philosophical introduction and suggestions for further reading. Contents 6 Introduction 8 Chronology 27 Further reading 30 Note on the text, translation, and annotation 34 Socratic Memorabilia 40 To the Public, or Nobody, the Well-Known 41 Essay on an Academic Question 46 Miscellaneous Notes on Word Order in the French Language 57 Cloverleaf of Hellenistic Letters 70 Aesthetica in Nuce: A Rhapsody in Cabbalistic Prose 97 The Last Will and Testament of the Knight of the Rose-Cross 133 Philological Ideas and Doubts about an Academic Prize Essay 148 To the Solomon of Prussia 174 New Apology of the Letter h 183 New Apology of the letter h by itself 196 Golgotha and Sheblimini! 201 Metacritique on the Purism of Reason 242 Disrobing and Transfiguration: A flying letter to Nobody, the Well Known 256 Index of biblical passages 277 Index of names 285 Two Dedications, From Socratic Memorabilia (1759) -- Essay On An Academic Question (1760) -- Miscellaneous Notes On Word Order In The French Language (1760) -- Cloverleaf Of Hellenistic Letters (1762) -- Aesthetica In Nuce (1762) -- The Last Will And Testament Of The Knight Of The Rose-cross (1772) -- Philological Ideas And Doubts (written In 1772) -- To The Solomon Of Prussia (written In 1772) -- New Apology Of The Letter H (1773) -- Golgotha And Sheblimini! (1784) -- Metacritique On The Purism Of Reason (written In 1784) -- From Disrobing And Transfiguration : A Flying Letter To Nobody, The Well Known (1786). Johann Georg Hamann ; Translated And Edited By Kenneth Haynes. Includes Bibliographical References (p. Xxix-xxxii) And Indexes. Translated From The German.