Friedrich Heinrich Jacobi and the Ends of the Enlightenment
Religion, Philosophy, and Reason at the Crux of Modernity

Places Friedrich Jacobi as figure at the crux of modernity, showing how he shaped German idealism, Romanticism and existentialism.

Alexander J. B. Hampton (Edited by)

9781009244947, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 16 February 2023

350 pages
23.5 x 15.5 x 2.3 cm, 0.61 kg

'In recent years, philosophy in the Anglo-American world has broadened its scope to include consideration of more than just the work of Kant and Hegel from the 'classical' German tradition. Fichte, Schelling, and the 'early German Romantics' are now quite well established as part of contemporary philosophical debate. The work of Friedrich Heinrich Jacobi (1743–1819), in contrast, has been largely absent from much of that debate. As this volume shows, Jacobi was a crucial figure in the development of German Idealist and Romantic philosophy, and German theology, who also plays an important, but often neglected, role in subsequent debates. This collection of essays will serve as a valuable introduction to an original and provocative thinker.' Andrew Bowie, Emeritus Professor of Philosophy and German, Royal Holloway University of London

Friedrich Jacobi held a position of unparalleled importance in the golden age of late eighteenth and early nineteenth century intellectual history. Nonetheless, the range and style of his thought and its expression has always posed interpretative challenges that continue to hinder his reception. This volume introduces and evaluates Jacobi's pivotal place in the history of ideas. It explores his role in catalyzing the close of the Enlightenment through his critique of reason, how he shaped the reception of Kant's critical philosophy and the subsequent development of German idealism, his effect on the development of Romanticism and religion through his emphasis on feeling, and his influence in shaping the emergence of existentialism. This volume serves as an authoritative resource for one of the most important yet underappreciated figures in modern European intellectual history. It also recasts our understanding of Fichte, Hegel, Kierkegaard, and others in light of his influence and impact.

Introduction: Jacobi: at the crux of modernity Alexander J. B. Hampton
Part I. The Critique of Reason: Debates on Rationalism, Empiricism, and Skepticism: 1. Jacobi and philosophy: rationalism and skepticism Benjamin Crowe
2. Jacobi and Spinoza Birgit Sandkaulen
3. Jacobi on the nature of mind and intuitive certainty Brady Bowman
4. Jacobi and Kant: freedom, reason, faith James J. DiCenso
Part II. Faith and Revelation: Debates on Theism, Atheism, and Nihilism: 5. Jacobi's argument and dilemma: Theism and Christianity Ariberto Acerbi
6. The Jacobi–Schelling debate Sean J. McGrath
7. Jacobi's response to religious nihilism Peter Jonkers
8. Jacobi and the German protestant tradition Jörg Lauster
Part III. Jacobi and the Revival of Socraticism: The Muenster Circle and Existentialism: 9. Jacobi and Hemsterhuis Daniel Whistler
10. Dioscuri: Hamann and Jacobi John Betz
11. Jacobi and Kierkegaard Anders Moe Rasmussen
Part IV. Jacobi's Impact on Idealism and Romanticism: 12. Jacobi and German idealism Ernst-Otto Onnash
13. Jacobi's philosophy of faith in Fichte's 1794 Wissenschaftslehre David W. Wood
14. Jacobi and the romantics Alexander J. B. Hampton
15. Jacobi as literary author George di Giovanni.

Subject Areas: Philosophy of religion [HRAB], Western philosophy: c 1600 to c 1900 [HPCD], Modern history to 20th century: c 1700 to c 1900 [HBLL]