Friedrich HoÌlderlin and the German idealist philosophy of his day
The present thesis takes its original impetus from the author's conviction that the German philosophy of the ~Goethezeit~ represents a peak of metaphysical insight and achievement comparable with the original flowering of European philosophical thought in the age of Plato and Aristotle. Until recently, it was fashionable to regard Kant and Hegel as the two 'giants' of this second flowering and to consign other philosophers, such as Fichte and Schelling, to the role of supporting figures. However, in recent years, the pioneer efforts of such scholars as Walter Schulz, plus the interest shown by modern philosophers such as Martin Heidegger, have drawn attention to depths in the philosophy of Schelling which had been ignored by the leading exponents of Idealist philosophy, due to their sympathy for the ideas of Kant and/or Hegel. In addition, again due partly to the insights of Heidegger, there has developed a realisation among ever widening circles that Friedrich Holderlin was also one of these 'giants' of metaphysics. His strictly philosophical works are limited in number and in length. However, his contribution cannot be measured in terms of quantity: I would maintain, and have tried to show in the present
Simpson, David L.
Philosophy
Friedrich HoÌlderlin and the German idealist philosophy of his day. The present thesis takes its original impetus from the author's conviction that the German philosophy of the ~Goethezeit~ represents a peak of metaphysical insight and achievement comparable with the original flowering of European philosophical thought in the age of Plato and Aristotle. Until recently, it was fashionable to regard Kant and Hegel as the two 'giants' of this second flowering and to consign other philosophers, such as Fichte and Schelling, to the role of supporting figures. However, in recent years, the pioneer efforts of such scholars as Walter Schulz, plus the interest shown by modern philosophers such as Martin Heidegger, have drawn attention to depths in the philosophy of Schelling which had been ignored by the leading exponents of Idealist philosophy, due to their sympathy for the ideas of Kant and/or Hegel. In addition, again due partly to the insights of Heidegger, there has developed a realisation among ever widening circles that Friedrich Holderlin was also one of these 'giants' of metaphysics. His strictly philosophical works are limited in number and in length. However, his contribution cannot be measured in terms of quantity: I would maintain, and have tried to show in the present
german idealist philosophy day present take original impetus author conviction german philosophy represent peak metaphysical insight achievement comparable original flower european philosophical think age plato_aristotle recently fashionable regard kant_hegel second flower philosopher schelling role support figure however pioneer effort scholar plus interest show modern philosopher martin_heidegger drawn attention depth philosophy schelling ignore leading exponent idealist philosophy due sympathy idea kant and hegel addition due partly insight heidegger develop realisation among ever widen circle also metaphysics strictly philosophical_work limit number length however measure term quantity would maintain try_show present