This is the first book in English on the major works of the German philosopher Johann Gottlieb Fichte. It examines the transcendental theory of self and world from the writings of Fichte's most influential period, and considers in detail recently discovered lectures on the Foundations of Transcendental Philosophy. At the center of that body of work stands Fichte's attempt to integrate the theories of volition and cognition into a unified but complex 'system of freedom'. The focus of this book is (...) the intricate interplay between thinking and willing in the birth of experience out of the spirit of freedom. Combining incomparable erudition, sensitive readings of some of the most difficult of philosophical texts, clarity in exposition and an acute awareness of historical context this book takes its place as the ideal introduction to Fichte's thought. (shrink)

This chapter reports the biography of Arthur Schopenhauer and explores his particular thoughts on musical philosophy. Schopenhauer was born on February 22, 1788. With his philosophy in general, and more specifically with his philosophy of art, Schopenhauer has probably exercised a greater effect on artists and musicians than any other thinker or writer. His reflections on music were contributions that either focused on the metaphysical significance of the art form or made factual and normative statements about the factors and forms (...) of musical composition. Schopenhauer's theory of redemption through art and of music's closeness to metaphysical origins was warmly received by Europe's cultivated bourgeoisie. (shrink)

This new translation of the first Critique forms part of a fifteen-volume English-language edition of the works of Immanuel Kant under the general editorship of this volume’s editor-translators, Paul Guyer and Allen Wood. The edition, which is almost complete by now, comprises all of Kant’s published works along with extensive selections from his literary remains, his correspondence, and student transcripts of his lecture courses in metaphysics, ethics, logic, and anthropology. The Cambridge edition aims at a consistent English rendition of Kant’s (...) works, both within a given volume and across volumes. In terms of scope and detail, the Cambridge edition is unrivaled in any language, except for the authoritative Academy edition begun under the directorship of Wilhelm Dilthey in 1900, which, however, is still not completed and several volumes of which are in serious need of re-editing. In one case, that of the Opus postumum, the best edition currently available seems to be the one in the Cambridge edition. (shrink)

Im Zentrum der Reihe Staatsverstandnisse steht die Frage: Was lasst sich den Ideen fruherer und heutiger Staatsdenker fur ein zeitgemasses Verstandnis des Staates entnehmen? Das Staatsdenken von Johann Gottlieb Fichte (1762-1814) mit seinem historischen Doppelfokus auf die Franzosische Revolution und das Kaiserreich Napoleons hat im 19. und 20. Jahrhundert auf ganz entgegengesetzte philosophische, politische und ideologische Lager gewirkt: vom Liberalismus uber den Sozialismus bis zum Nationalismus. Zu Beginn des 21. Jahrhunderts fasziniert an Fichtes Reflexion auf die Bedingungen, Moglichkeiten und Grenzen (...) staatlicher Gemeinschaft die Verbindung von normativem Anspruch und zeitkritischer Diagnostik. Fichte bemuht sich ebenso sehr um die Rechtfertigung des Staates wie um die Einschrankung seiner Wirkungssphare zugunsten personlicher Freiheit sowie ethisch und religios bestimmter Lebensfuhrung. Die Beitrage des vorliegenden Bandes prasentieren, analysieren und evaluieren Fichtes Philosophie der Staatlichkeit aus den distinkten, aber komplementaren philosophischen Perspektiven von Recht, Moral, Wirtschaft, Padagogik und Geschichte. Im Zentrum steht durchweg der Anspruch von Fichtes praktischer Philosophie im Allgemeinen und seines Staatsdenkens im Besonderen, vor- und ausserstaatliche Freiheit mittels des Staates zu gewahrleisten. (shrink)