J.G. Fichte and the Atheism dispute : (1798-1800)

The Atheism Dispute is one of the most important philosophical controversies of late eighteenth and early nineteenth century Germany. Johann Gottlieb Fichte, one of the leading philosophers of the period, was accused of atheism after publishing his essay 'On the Ground of Our Belief in a Divine World-Governance', which he had written in response to Karl Friedrich Forberg's essay 'Development of the Concept of Religion'. Fichte argued that recognition of the moral law includes affirmation of a 'moral world order', which he identified with God. Critics charged both Forberg and Fichte with atheism, thereby prompting Fichte to launch a public campaign of defense that included his threat to resign his position at the University of Jena if he were subjected to any government reprimand. Fichte was forced to make good this threat when his work was censured. The dispute eventually died down but it influenced many other thinkers for years to come. "J. G. Fichte: The Atheism Dispute (1798-1800)" is the first English commentary devoted solely to the Atheism Dispute as well as the first English translation of collected writings from the Atheism Dispute. This book brings together many major essays and documents relating to this dispute. These include the anonymous polemic 'A Father's Letter to his Student Son about Fichte's and Forberg's Atheism', Fichte's essays Appeal to the Public and Juridical Report, and numerous documents from the University of Jena and the ducal courts of Dresden, Weimar, and Gotha. Most of the texts are translated from German into English for the first time, and all are accompanied by full commentaries and detailed notes. Bowman and Estes bring to an English speaking audience the full details of this controversy, which ended Fichte's career in Jena and profoundly influenced his approach to communicating philosophical and religious concepts. Translator's preface Commentator's preface Commentator's introduction J.G. Fichte : on the ground of our belief in a divine world-governance Commentary: on the ground of our belief in a divine world-governance Text: on the ground of our belief in a divine world-governance F.K. Forberg : development of the concept of religion Commentary: development of the concept of religion Text: development of the concept of religion G.: a father's letter to his student son about Fichte's and forberg's atheism Commentary: a father's letter to his student son about Fichte's and Forberg's atheism Text: a father's letter to his student son abou tFichte's and Gorberg's atheism Friedrich August : Saxon requisition letter to the Weimar Court and Karl August : Weimar rescript to the University of Jena Commentary: Saxon requisition letter to the Weimar Court and Weimar rescript to the University of Jena Text: Saxon requisition letter to the weimar court Text: Weimar rescript to the University of Jena J.G. Fichte: appeal to the public Commentary: appeal to the public Text: appeal to the public K.l. Reinhold: letter to Fichte Commentary: letter to Fichte Text: letter to Fichte J.G. Fichte : juridical defense Commentary: juridical defense Text: juridical defense Ernst I. Ludwig : Gotha rescript to the University of Jena Commentary: Gotha rescript to the University of Jena Text: Gotha rescript to the University of Jena Students of the University of Jena : first petition to Duke Karl, August of Saxony, Weimar, Eisenach and Karl August : first reply to the University of Jena and students of the University of Jena : second petition to Duke Karl, August of Saxony, Weimar, Eisenach and Karl August : second reply to the University of Jena Commentary: first and second petitions to Duke Karl, August of Saxony, Weimar, Eisenach and first and second replies to the University of Jena Text: first petition to Duke Karl, August of Saxony, Weimar, Eisenach Text: first reply to the University of Jena Text: second petition to Duke Karl, August of Saxony, Weimar, Eisenach Text: second reply to the University of Jena J.G. Fichte : from a private letter Commentary: from a private letter Text: from a private letter J.G. Fichte : concluding remark by the editor Commentary: concluding remark by the editor Text: concluding remark by the editor. The atheism dispute is one of the most important philosophical controversies of late eighteenth and early nineteenth century Germany. Johann Gottlieb Fichte, one of the leading philosophers of the period, was accused of atheism after publishing his essay'On the Ground of Our Belief in a Divine World-Governance', which he had written in response to Karl Friedrich Forberg's essay'Development of the Concept of Religion'. Fichte argued that recognition of the moral law includes affirmation of a'moral world order', which he identified with God. Critics charged both Forberg and Fichte with atheism, thereby prompting Fichte to launch a public campaign of defense that included his threat to resign his position at the University of Jena if he were subjected to any government reprimand. Fichte was forced to make good this threat when his work was censured. The dispute eventually died down but it influenced many other thinkers for years to come. J. G. Fichte: The Atheism Dispute (1798-1800) is the first English commentary devoted solely to the atheism dispute as well as the first English translation of collected writings from the Atheism Dispute. This book brings together many major essays and documents relating to this dispute. These include the anonymous polemic'A Father's Letter to his Student Son about Fichte's and Forberg's Atheism', Fichte's essays'Appeal to the Public'and'Juridical Defense', and numerous documents from the University of Jena and the ducal courts of Dresden, Weimar, and Gotha. Most of the texts are translated from German into English for the first time, and all are accompanied by full commentaries and detailed notes. Bowman and Estes bring to an English speaking audience the full details of this controversy, which ended Fichte's career in Jena and profoundly influenced his approach to communicating philosophical and religious concepts. The atheism dispute is one of the most important philosophical controversies of late eighteenth and early nineteenth century Germany. Johann Gottlieb Fichte, one of the leading philosophers of the period, was accused of atheism after publishing his essay 'On the Ground of Our Belief in a Divine World-Governance', which he had written in response to Karl Friedrich Forberg's essay 'Development of the Concept of Religion'. Fichte argued that recognition of the moral law includes affirmation of a 'moral world order', which he identified with God. Critics charged both Forberg and Fichte with atheism, thereby prompting Fichte to launch a public campaign of defense that included his threat to resign his position at the University of Jena if he were subjected to any government reprimand. Fichte was forced to make good this threat when his work was censured. The dispute eventually died down but it influenced many other thinkers for years to come. J. G. The Atheism Dispute (1798-1800) is the first English commentary devoted solely to the atheism dispute as well as the first English translation of collected writings from the Atheism Dispute. This book brings together many major essays and documents relating to this dispute. These include the anonymous polemic 'A Father's Letter to his Student Son about Fichte's and Forberg's Atheism', Fichte's essays 'Appeal to the Public' and 'Juridical Defense', and numerous documents from the University of Jena and the ducal courts of Dresden, Weimar, and Gotha. Most of the texts are translated from German into English for the first time, and all are accompanied by full commentaries and detailed notes. Bowman and Estes bring to an English speaking audience the full details of this controversy, which ended Fichte's career in Jena and profoundly influenced his approach to communicating philosophical and religious concepts. Cover......Page 1 Contents......Page 6 Abbreviations......Page 8 Translator’s Preface......Page 10 Commentator’s Preface......Page 14 Acknowledgments......Page 16 Chronology: The Atheism Dispute (1798–1800)......Page 18 Commentator’s Introduction J. G. Fichte, Atheismusstreit, Wissenschaftslehre, and Religionslehre......Page 20 1 J. G. Fichte: “On the Ground of Our Belief in a Divine World-Governance”......Page 36 2 F. K. Forberg: “Development of the Concept of Religion”......Page 50 3 G.: A Father’s Letter to his Student Son about Fichte’s and Forberg’s Atheism......Page 68 4 Friedrich August: “Saxon Letter of Requisition to the Weimar Court”......Page 96 5 J. G. Fichte: Appeal to the Public......Page 104 6 K. L. Reinhold: “Letter to Fichte”......Page 146 7 J. G. Fichte: Juridical Defense......Page 164 8 Ernst II Ludwig: “Gotha Rescript to the University of Jena”......Page 224 9 Students of the University of Jena: “First Petition to Karl August of Saxony–Weimar–Eisenach”......Page 234 10 J. G. Fichte: “From a Private Letter”......Page 264 11 J. G. Fichte: “Concluding Remark by the Editor”......Page 288 German–English Glossary......Page 302 Index......Page 312 The Atheism Dispute Is One Of The Most Important Philosophical Controversies Of Late Eighteenth And Early Nineteenth Century Germany. Johann Gottlieb Fichte, One Of The Leading Philosophers Of The Period, Was Accused Of Atheism After Publishing His Essay 'on The Ground Of Our Belief In A Divine Government Of The Universe', Which He Had Written In Response To Karl Friedrich Forberg's Essay 'the Development Of The Concept Of Religion'. This Book Brings Together The Major Essays And Letters Relating To This Dispute, Many Translated From German Into English For The First Time, With A Full Commentary On The Texts. Bowman And Estes Bring To An English Speaking Audience The Full Details Of This Controversy Which Led To Fichte's Resignation From His Position At The University Of Jena And Profoundly Influenced His Approach To Communicating Philosophical And Religious Concepts.