Hope and the Kantian Legacy: New Contributions to the History of Optimism

This collection explores the development of the concept of hope in late 18th- and 19th-century German philosophy,reconstructing and analyzing various approaches from Kant,Fichte,Schelling,Schopenhauer,J. S. Beck,J. C. Hoffbauer,Wilhelm von Humboldt,Georg Friedrich Creuzer,Kierkegaard,and others. It covers topics such as the rationality of hope,appropriate and inappropriate applications,and its function in relation to religion and society.

Format: Hardback
Length: 328 pages
Publication date: 19 October 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Hope is a fundamental aspect of human experience, playing a crucial role in motivating behavior, fostering happiness, and justifying a sense of agency. However, there have been significant gaps in the development of the concept of hope in the history of philosophy. This collection aims to bridge that gap by reconstructing and analyzing various approaches to hope in late 18th- and 19th-century German philosophy.

In 1781, Kant's concept of "rational hope" revolutionized the discourse surrounding hope and its significance for human self-understanding. This idea sparked a wide-ranging debate in the 19th century, with philosophers from diverse backgrounds engaging in discussions about the meaning and function of hope. Drawing on the expertise of a diverse group of contributors, this collection explores perspectives on hope from Kant, Fichte, Schelling, Schopenhauer, J. S. Beck, J. C. Hoffbauer, Wilhelm von Humboldt, Georg Friedrich Creuzer, Kierkegaard, and others.

Chapters in the collection examine different aspects of the concept of hope, including its rationality, appropriate applications, and its relationship to religion and society. By examining these perspectives, the collection provides a comprehensive overview of philosophical approaches to hope during this period, including those by philosophers who are often overlooked in contemporary studies.

This collection is valuable not only as an overview of philosophical approaches to hope during this period but also as a resource for exploring the development of this important concept in post-Kantian German philosophy. It offers insights into the ways in which philosophers of the late 18th and 19th centuries grappled with the challenges and opportunities presented by hope, and how their ideas continue to shape our understanding of the human condition today.

Weight: 744g
Dimension: 176 x 252 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350238084