From Kant to Feuerbach

This lecture course examines such a unique and very important phenomenon in the history of world philosophical thought as German classical philosophy.

Its social and historical prerequisites are analyzed; the common elements uniting all its representatives are considered—historicism, the idea of freedom, dialectics, contradiction, system- and wholeness in understanding the world. As for its founding figure, I. Kant, his epistemology, ethics, anthropology, aesthetics, and socio-political views are examined in their unity and interconnection.

Various aspects of the teaching of I. G. Fichte are analyzed in great detail—his Wissenschaftslehre (the “science-of-science”/doctrine of knowledge), his doctrine of the Absolute, theory of knowledge, and socio-political ideas. As for Schelling, special attention was given to his philosophy of identity, or the system of transcendental idealism; his natural philosophy and views on art and religion are discussed. His “= Schelling = spiritual evolution” is shown.

The course sets out in detail the main sections and aspects of Hegel’s philosophy—both logic, the philosophy of nature, and the philosophy of spirit—in their integrity, unity, and interconnection.

The course author tried to show how these personal centers influenced one another, and that many of their innovative ideas were generated and then developed specifically by drawing from one another’s ideas—either by opposing them, criticizing them, or, on the contrary, complementing and further enriching one another. Hence the differences of style and their individuality, yet at the same time a kind of unity of social-historical and political prerequisites that determined their conclusions and reflections, a unity of basic themes and problems.

L. Feuerbach stands somewhat apart—an adherent of materialism, the creator of an original philosophical-anthropological concept. Its main points and aspects are also analyzed in this course.

The author attempted to weave into the whole presentation his own assessments, reflections, and conclusions, to draw on facts that are far from always available as common teaching aids. It is believed that this course can be useful to students studying philosophy, as well as to those who simply want to expand their knowledge in the history of world philosophical thought.