The problems involved in understanding the Aristotelian notion of an ἀρχή arise from the widely accepted view that Aristotle’s theory of knowledge is torn between irreconcilable empiricist and rationalist tendencies. I argue that several puzzling features of the Aristotelian ἀρχή are clarified when it is understood as akin to the Urphänomen, which plays a central role in the scientific thought of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. More broadly, I argue that the apparent conflict in Aristotle’s theory of knowledge is resolved (...) by seeing that Aristotle is neither an empiricist, nor a rationalist, but a “rational empiricist” akin to Goethe. (shrink)

The problems involved in understanding the Aristotelian notion of an ἀρχή arise from the widely accepted view that Aristotle’s theory of knowledge is torn between irreconcilable empiricist and rationalist tendencies. I argue that several puzzling features of the Aristotelian ἀρχή are clarified when it is understood as akin to the Urphänomen, which plays a central role in the scientific thought of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. More broadly, I argue that the apparent conflict in Aristotle’s theory of knowledge is resolved (...) by seeing that Aristotle is neither an empiricist, nor a rationalist, but a “rational empiricist” akin to Goethe. (shrink)

Band 10 der Gesammelten Schriften Sulzers enthalt den gesamten Briefwechsel zwischen J. G. Sulzer (1720-1779) und J. J. Bodmer (1698-1783), der hier zum ersten Mal vollstandig nach den Handschriften transkribiert und kommentiert wird. Fur die Edition von Sulzers Schriften ist dieser Briefwechsel geradezu fundamental: Mit seinen 453 Briefen, die in 35 Jahren (1744-1779) entstanden sind, zahlt er zu den umfangreichsten Korrespondenzen Sulzers und liefert zahlreiche neue Informationen zu zentralen Themenfeldern der europaischen Aufklarung, zur Genese von Sulzers und Bodmers Schriften, zu (...) ihrem Netzwerk, insbesondere in Preuaen und in der Schweiz, sowie zu Aspekten ihres Privatlebens. Damit erweist sich dieser Briefwechsel als eine unumgangliche Quelle, will man die Formierung des literarischen und akademischen Feldes in der Aufklarungsepoche untersuchen. (shrink)

Systematische und kritische Darstellung der Psychologie Jakob Frohschammers ist ein unveranderter, hochwertiger Nachdruck der Originalausgabe aus dem Jahr 1899. Hansebooks ist Herausgeber von Literatur zu unterschiedlichen Themengebieten wie Forschung und Wissenschaft, Reisen und Expeditionen, Kochen und Ernahrung, Medizin und weiteren Genres. Der Schwerpunkt des Verlages liegt auf dem Erhalt historischer Literatur. Viele Werke historischer Schriftsteller und Wissenschaftler sind heute nur noch als Antiquitaten erhaltlich. Hansebooks verlegt diese Bucher neu und tragt damit zum Erhalt selten gewordener Literatur und historischem Wissen (...) auch fur die Zukunft bei. (shrink)

Of the 218 letters, 126 belong to correspondence with the Imperial Count Ernst Christoph von Manteuffel, a dedicated patron of the supporters of Christian Wolff and the head of the Berlin chapter of the Society of Alethophiles. In Berlin and Leipzig great hopes were placed in the Prussian heir apparent Friedrich II, whom many saw a kind of Platonian “philosopher king” who would help elevate reason and Wolffian philosophy to new heights. The letters document the development of a rationalistic strain (...) in Gottsched's sermons. They also provide insight into the satires of Wolff's opponents written by L.A.V. Gottsched. Gottsched's speeches concerning Martin Opitz and the “book printing anniversary” found strong resonance in the correspondence and inspired letters concerning similar undertakings. Jakob Brucker's letters illuminate the planning and creation of the “Bilder-sal”, a contemporary history of notable scholars that featured biographies and portraits, and which came to include Gottsched and his wife. (shrink)

Zu Pfingsten 1744 trat das Ehepaar Gottsched eine dreimonatige Reise an, die nach Danzig, der Geburtsstadt Luise Victorie Adelgunde Gottscheds, und Königsberg führte. Reiseanlass war der 200. Jahrestag der Gründung der Königsberger Universität, an der Gottsched seine akademische Ausbildung absolviert hatte. In den Briefen des vorliegenden Bandes nimmt der Besuch mit seinen Folgen eine vorherrschende Stellung ein. Die Briefe dokumentieren zudem die Entstehung und Rezeption von Gottscheds Schaubühne, Pläne zu einer Edition der Briefe und Werke von Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz anlässlich (...) seines hundertsten Geburtstages oder den mühsamen Entstehungsprozess des bildbiographischen Fortsetzungswerks, das Jakob Brucker und Johann Jakob Haid in Augsburg unter dem Titel "Bilder=sal" veröffentlichten. Etliche Schreiben enthalten politische Kommentare zum Zweiten Schlesischen Krieg, gewähren Einblicke in die literarische Auseinandersetzung mit den Schweizern Bodmer und Breitinger und zeigen Gottsched als einflussreichen und hilfsbereiten Vermittler zwischen Autoren und Verlegern. (shrink)

Is Portmann's concept of inwardness objectively useful in understanding biological phenomena? If it is, it would seem that there is no unity to the physical sciences, because biology is as fundamental as physics. On the other hand, Portmann's interpretation of inwardness as a meaning or significance that we have to give our interpretation of biological phenomena suggests that it is sheerly subjective, and so should be reduced to objective correlates. This dilemma is false, however. One should realize that scientists construe (...) physical and chemical processes as processes devoid of intrinsic meaning, just as they construe biological processes as having this meaning, which is Portmann's inwardness. From this angle we can integrate the significance of physical and biological processes in a way which does not reduce the latter to the former. Keywords: inwardness, unity of natural sciences CiteULike Connotea Del.icio.us What's this? (shrink)

Unter allen Lebewesen ist der Mensch etwas Besonderes. Als Abbild Gottes sei der Mensch geschaffen, so die Bibel. Wem sie nichts sagt, auch der erfährt sich als bewusstes Ich, das zu sich selbst, zu anderen und zur Welt Stellung nehmen kann. Er ist vernünftig und frei: Person. Dem Wesen nach ist jeder Mensch Person und hat deshalb Würde. Auch, wenn Machtinteressen diese missachten. Personen sind einzig, unaustauschbar und zugleich immer schon eingebunden in ein Wir: biologisch, kulturell, rechtlich. Bevor der Mensch (...) "ich" sagen kann, steht ihm ein Du gegenüber. Als einmaliges Freiheitswesen ist er Person nur im Miteinander. Mit Beiträgen von Hanna-Barbara Gerl-Falkovitz, Johannes Hattler, Theo Kobusch, Robert Spaemann, Jakob Fortunat Stagl u. Hans Thomas. (shrink)

Johann Gottfried von Herder is one of the most important German philosophers of the eighteenth century, who had enormous influence on later thinkers such as Hegel, Schleiermacher and Nietzsche. His wide-ranging ideas were formative in the development of linguistics, hermeneutics, anthropology and bible scholarship, and even today they retain their vitality and relevance to an extraordinary degree. This volume presents a translation of Herder's most important and characteristic philosophical writings in his areas of central interest, including philosophy of language, (...) philosophy of mind, philosophy of history and political philosophy, as well as his general philosophical program. An introduction sets the writings in their historical context and examines their philosophical achievement. (shrink)

A large network of alchemical agents spread from the tiny, land-locked duchy of Saxe- Gotha-Altenburg outward across Europe. At its centre, Duke Friedrich I meticulously documented his interactions with many alchemical personalities during the 1670s and 1680s. The story of one such personality illustrates the changing meanings of distant alchemical knowledge both to the inner circle of courtly alchemists and to a larger alchemical republic. Born near Gotha, Johann Otto von Hellwig built his pan-European career on a youthful stay (...) on Java. To some, this indicated his access to exotic naturalia which might be imported to a centre of collection, such as Gotha. For others, Hellwig could access a wisdom hidden abroad since ancient Egypt, which should be disseminated among widely dispersed adepts. These viewpoints indicate different functions for distant knowledge, as well as differing desired trajectories for this knowledge. (shrink)

liber 1. Disquiritur Critice rationis purae.--liber 2. Discutitur sic dicta Fundatio metaphysices morum.

The influential work of speculative biology-and a key document in posthumanist studies-now available in a new, accurate English translation.

The reinterpretation of Nature by biology, which will prevail in spite of all obstacles, has brought our thinking closer to antiquity, giving us the chance to reinvigorate our perused terminology with the help of the resources to be found in the thoughts of the greatest minds of mankind. The way to Plato thus being cleared, I perceived the idea to seek enlightenment on pressing biological questions from the great Sage. As means to this end, I chose to make Socrates continue (...) one of his dialogues, with the adjustment of giving him the knowledge of our contemporary biological problems. Thus some kind of interaction between the Ancients and ourselves is created, to our considerable benefit. (shrink)