Experiential Turn in Eighteenth-Century German Philosophy

This collection of essays challenges the prevailing assumption that eighteenth-century German philosophy prior to Kant was largely defined by post-Leibnizian rationalism and a low esteem of the cognitive function of the senses. It highlights the various ways in which German philosophers reconceived the notion and role of experience in their efforts to identify, defend, and contest the contribution of sensibility to disciplines such as metaphysics, theology, the natural sciences, psychology, and aesthetics.

Format: Hardback
Length: 310 pages
Publication date: 18 May 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This collection of essays challenges the prevailing assumption that eighteenth-century German philosophy prior to Kant was largely defined by post-Leibnizian rationalism and, accordingly, a low esteem of the cognitive function of the senses. It does so by highlighting the various ways in which eighteenth-century German philosophers reconceived the notion and role of experience in their efforts to identify, defend, and contest the contribution of sensibility to disciplines such as metaphysics, theology, the natural sciences, psychology, and aesthetics. Engaging in depth with Tschirnhaus, Wolff, the Wolffians, eclecticism, Popularphilosophie, the Berlin Academy, Tetens, and Kant, its thirteen chapters present a more nuanced understanding of the German reception of British and French ideas and dismiss the prevailing view that German philosophy was largely isolated from European debates. Moreover, the book introduces a number of relatively unknown, but highly relevant philosophers and developments to non-specialized scholars and contributes to a better understanding of the richness and complexity of the German Enlightenment.

Introduction:
The prevailing assumption in eighteenth-century German philosophy is that prior to Kant, the field was largely characterized by post-Leibnizian rationalism and a dismissive view of the cognitive significance of the senses. This collection of essays aims to challenge this notion by exploring the diverse ways in which German philosophers of the time reimagined the concept and role of experience in their endeavors to understand, defend, and contest the contribution of sensibility to various disciplines, including metaphysics, theology, the natural sciences, psychology, and aesthetics. By engaging with a range of influential figures such as Tschirnhaus, Wolff, the Wolffians, eclecticism, Popularphilosophie, the Berlin Academy, Tetens, and Kant, the book offers a more nuanced understanding of the German reception of British and French ideas and rejects the notion that German philosophy was isolated from European debates. Furthermore, it introduces a number of relatively unknown but highly relevant philosophers and developments to non-specialized scholars, enriching their understanding of the richness and complexity of the German Enlightenment.

Reconception of Experience in Eighteenth-Century German Philosophy:
In eighteenth-century German philosophy, there was a significant shift in the understanding of experience. Philosophers began to recognize the importance of sensory perception and the role it played in shaping our understanding of the world. They began to question the traditional notion that experience was merely subjective and unreliable and instead sought to establish a more objective and scientific basis for understanding the nature of experience.

One of the key figures in this reimagining of experience was Tschirnhaus. He argued that experience was not merely subjective but was also objective and measurable. He proposed a system of sensory perception that involved the interaction of the mind with external objects and the perception of their properties. Tschirnhaus believed that the mind was capable of accurately perceiving the external world and that sensory perception was the foundation of all knowledge.

Wolff, another influential figure, also contributed to the reimagining of experience. He argued that experience was not merely subjective but was also objective and universal. He proposed a system of natural philosophy that relied on the observation and measurement of natural phenomena and the development of scientific laws based on these observations. Wolff believed that the natural world was governed by universal laws that could be discovered through empirical observation and that experience was essential for the development of scientific knowledge.

The Wolffians, a group of philosophers influenced by Wolff, further developed the reimagining of experience. They argued that experience was not merely subjective but was also intersubjective and social. They proposed a system of social philosophy that relied on the interaction of individuals and societies and the development of social institutions and norms. The Wolffians believed that experience was essential for the development of social and moral values and that social institutions were necessary to promote the well-being of individuals and societies.

Eclecticism, another philosophical movement of the time, also played a significant role in the reimagining of experience. Eclecticism was a philosophical movement that sought to combine different philosophical traditions and ideas to develop a comprehensive and coherent system of knowledge. Eclectic philosophers believed that experience was essential for the development of knowledge and that different philosophical traditions had different insights and perspectives that could be combined to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the world.

Popularphilosophie, a movement that emerged in the late eighteenth century, also contributed to the reimagining of experience. Popularphilosophie was a movement that aimed to make philosophy accessible to a wider audience and to promote a more democratic and egalitarian society. Popularphilosophie philosophers believed that experience was essential for the development of individual and social values and that philosophy should be used to promote social and political change.

The Berlin Academy, a group of philosophers who emerged in the early nineteenth century, also played a significant role in the reimagining of experience. The Berlin Academy was a group of philosophers who sought to establish a new philosophical movement that would combine the best insights of different philosophical traditions and ideas. The Berlin Academy believed that experience was essential for the development of knowledge and that philosophy should be used to promote social and political change.

Tetens, a philosopher who emerged in the late eighteenth century, also contributed to the reimagining of experience. Tetens argued that experience was not merely subjective but was also objective and universal. He proposed a system of metaphysics that relied on the observation and measurement of natural phenomena and the development of scientific laws based on these observations. Tetens believed that the mind was capable of accurately perceiving the external world and that sensory perception was the foundation of all knowledge.

Kant, another influential figure in eighteenth-century German philosophy, also contributed to the reimagining of experience. Kant argued that experience was not merely subjective but was also objective and universal. He proposed a system of metaphysics that relied on the observation and measurement of natural phenomena and the development of scientific laws based on these observations. Kant believed that the mind was capable of accurately perceiving the external world and that sensory perception was the foundation of all knowledge.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, this collection of essays challenges the prevailing assumption that eighteenth-century German philosophy prior to Kant was largely defined by post-Leibnizian rationalism and a low esteem of the cognitive function of the senses. It does so by highlighting the various ways in which eighteenth-century German philosophers reconceived the notion and role of experience in their efforts to identify, defend, and contest the contribution of sensibility to disciplines such as metaphysics, theology, the natural sciences, psychology, and aesthetics. By engaging in depth with Tschirnhaus, Wolff, the Wolffians, eclecticism, Popularphilosophie, the Berlin Academy, Tetens, and Kant, the book offers a more nuanced understanding of the German reception of British and French ideas and dismisses the prevailing view that German philosophy was largely isolated from European debates. Moreover, it introduces a number of relatively unknown but highly relevant philosophers and developments to non-specialized scholars, enriching their understanding of the richness and complexity of the German Enlightenment.

Weight: 602g
Dimension: 157 x 238 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781138606838