Schelling's Late Philosophy in Confrontation with Hegel

The study of German Idealism has focused much more on Fichte, Schelling, and Hegel, with Schelling receiving relatively little attention. This book is the first to survey the whole of Schelling's late system and explore the rationale for its division into a "negative philosophy" and a "positive philosophy." It traces Schelling's intellectual development from his early work to the threshold of his final phase and examines his mature conception of pure thinking, the basis of negative philosophy, and the transition to positive philosophy. It also offers a sustained comparison of Hegel's and Schelling's treatment of central topics in post-Kantian thought.

Format: Unspecified
Length: 344 pages
Publication date: 09 February 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

The study of German Idealism has experienced a notable surge in interest within the English-speaking world in recent decades. Among the three prominent thinkers who emerged after Kant, Schelling has garnered relatively less attention. Particularly, the distinctive philosophical project of Schelling's late period, which began in the 1820s, has been largely overlooked. This oversight has hindered a comprehensive understanding of German Idealism. It is during the later phase of his work that Schelling fully develops his influential critique of Hegel and provides a definitive response to the central concerns of post-Kantian thought.

This book is the first in English to comprehensively survey the entirety of Schelling's late system and to delve into the rationale behind its division into two distinct branches: "negative philosophy" and "positive philosophy." It begins by tracing Schelling's intellectual journey, from his early works of the 1790s to the threshold of his final phase. Subsequently, it examines Schelling's mature conception of the scope of pure thinking, which forms the foundation of negative philosophy, and the nature of the transition to positive philosophy.

In this second, historically oriented endeavor, Schelling delves into the profound structure of mythological worldviews and aims to explain the epochal shift towards the modern universe of "revelation." Simultaneously, the book offers a sustained comparison of Hegel's and Schelling's treatment of various central topics in post-Kantian thought, including the relationship between a priori thinking and being, the role of religion in human existence, the inner dynamics of history, and the paradoxical nature of freedom.

By examining Schelling's late period in greater detail, this book aims to rectify the neglect of his philosophical project and contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of German Idealism. It provides a valuable resource for scholars and students interested in exploring the complexities of post-Kantian philosophy and the enduring legacy of Schelling's thought.

Weight: 616g
Dimension: 164 x 249 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780190069124