The Schelling-Eschenmayer Controversy, 1801: Nature and Identity

Benjamin Berger; Daniel Whistler

Published by Edinburgh University Press 2020

The Schelling-Eschenmayer Controversy, 1801

Nature and Identity

Benjamin Berger and Daniel Whistler

In the series New Perspectives in Ontology

https://doi.org/10.1515/9781474434416

Overview
Contents

About this book

A study of the genesis of Schelling’s philosophy of nature and absolute idealism, highlighting the importance of A. K. A. Eschenmayer

The first extended English-language treatment of Eschenmayer’s philosophy, particularly his influential innovations in the philosophy of nature and his doctrine of the potencies
Includes explanatory notes and a substantial historical Introduction that situates them in context
Translations include Eschenmayer’s Propositions on the Metaphysics of Nature, his Highest Principle of Philosophy of Nature and Schelling’s On the True Concept of Philosophy of Nature, plus correspondence between Eschenmayer and Schelling from 1799 to 1801
Comments in detail on key concepts in Schelling’s philosophy and German Idealism more broadly, such as identity, drive, potency, the quantity/quality relation and abstraction
Considers the transition from Schelling’s early philosophy of nature to his philosophy of identity

During the first decade of the 19th century, F. W. J. Schelling was involved in 3 distinct controversies with one of his most perceptive and provocative critics, A. K. A. Eschenmayer. The first of these controversies took place in 1801 and focused on the philosophy of nature. Now, Berger and Whistler provide a ground-breaking account of this moment in the history of philosophy. They argue that key Schellingian concepts, such as identity, potency and abstraction, were first forged in his early debate with Eschenmayer. Through a series of translations and commentaries, they show that the 1801 controversy is an essential resource for understanding Schelling’s thought, the philosophy of nature and the origins of absolute idealism.

Additionally, Berger and Whistler demonstrate how the Schelling–Eschenmayer controversy raises important issues for the philosophy of nature today, including questions about the relation between identity and difference and the possibility of explaining sensible qualities in terms of quantity. This ultimately leads to the formulation of the most basic methodological question for the philosophy of nature: must this philosophy be based upon a prior consideration of consciousness – as Eschenmayer insists – or might it simply begin with nature itself? By arguing for the latter position, Schelling challenges us to entertain the possibility that the philosophy of nature is first philosophy.

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	v
Preface Publicly Available Download PDF	vii
Translators’ Note Publicly Available Download PDF	xii
Abbreviations Publicly Available Download PDF	xv
Introduction: Schelling and Eschenmayer in 1801 Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
Part I Texts
Spontaneity = World Soul, or the Highest Principle of Philosophy of Nature A. Eschenmayer Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	17
On the True Concept of Philosophy of Nature and the Correct Way of Solving its Problems F. Schelling Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	46
Part II Commentaries
1. Quality Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	65
2. Potency Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	94
3. Identity Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	117
4. Drive Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	139
5. Abstraction Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	162
Part III Appendices
1. Correspondence, 1799–1801 A. Eschenmayer and F. Schelling Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	187
2. Principles of Nature-Metaphysics Applied to Chemical and Medical Subjects A. Eschenmayer Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	199
3. Deduction of the Living Organism A. Eschenmayer Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	205
4. First Outline of a System of Philosophy of Nature and Introduction to his Outline A. Eschenmayer and F. Schelling’s Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	215
Notes Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	225
Bibliography Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	261
Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	268

(Deutsch)

Language: English
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press
Audience: College/higher education;
Pages
- Main content: 288
Keywords: Philosophy

eBook

Published: March 24, 2022
ISBN: 9781474434416