Abstract

This work consists of three parts: an English translation of Karl Leonhard Reinhold's Verhandlungen uber die Grundbegriffe und Grundsatze der Moralitat vom Standpunkt des gemeinen und gesunden Verstandes, zum Behufe der Beurtheilung der sittlichen, rechtlichen, politischen und religiosen Angelegenheiten, published in 1798; the original German text; and a historical-analytical introduction. The introduction provides a survey of the historical and philosophical background of the enlightenment and systematically discusses some of Reinhold's concepts. The historical phenomenon of the enlightenment in its national contexts and, particularly, of the enlightenment in Germany give the necessary background for an evaluation of the Fundamental Concepts. In the book, Reinhold defines major concepts of that movement in a layman's terms. The comparison of his concept of the enlightenment with Kant's and Mendelssohn's shows that Reinhold's is Kantian, but has its origin in morality. ;Both Kant and Reinhold have similar ethical concepts, although Reinhold deviates from the older philosopher by distinguishing between practical reason and free will. This results in a new theory of freedom. ;Religious movements in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries and, especially, religious controversies of the late eighteenth century were important for the development of the enlightenment. Reinhold participated in the "pantheism controversy," in which the rational enlightenment clashed with the romantic counter-enlightenment. As a resolution to this conflict, Reinhold offers Kant's concept of rational faith based on practical reason. Reinhold was a political moderate in the socio-political controversies in Germany and in the German reaction to the French revolution. His theoretical political concepts were based on his ethical ones. ;After a brief description of the phenomenon of Freemasonry and its connection to enlightenment, there follows a discussion of Reinhold's involvement with that movement and his attempt to reform it--of which the Fundamental Concepts was the outgrowth. ;Reinhold's theoretical philosophy is discussed in terms of eighteenth century-rationalism, German "popular philosopy," Scottish Common Sense Philosophy, and Kant's critical philosophy. With his own "Fundamental Philosophy," Reinhold provided a systematic foundation for all philosophy and, in particular, for his version of popular philosophy