The Schelling Reader

The Schelling Reader

F.W.J. Schelling (1775-1854) stands alongside J.G. Fichte and G.W.F. Hegel as one of the great philosophers of the German idealist tradition. The Schelling Reader introduces students to Schelling's philosophy by guiding them through the first ever English-language anthology of his key texts-an anthology which showcases the vast array of his interests and concerns (metaphysics, epistemology, philosophy of nature, ethics, aesthetics, philosophy of religion and mythology, and political philosophy). The reader includes the most important passages from all of Schelling's major works as well as lesser-known yet illuminating lectures and essays, revealing a philosopher rigorously and boldly grappling with some of the most difficult philosophical problems for over six decades, and constantly modifying and correcting his earlier thought in light of new insights.

Schelling's evolving philosophies have often presented formidable challenges to the teaching of his thought. For the first time, The Schelling Reader arranges readings from his work thematically, so as to bring to the fore the basic continuity in his trajectory, as well as the varied ways he tackles perennial problems. Each of the twelve chapters includes sustained readings that span the whole of Schelling's career, along with explanatory notes and an editorial introduction that introduces the main themes, arguments, and questions at stake in the text. The Editors' Introduction to the volume as a whole also provides important details on the context of Schelling's life and work to help students effectively engage with the material.

Editors' Introduction

Part One: Metaphysics

1. The Unconditioned

2. Identity and Difference

3. Nature

4. Time, Space and the Categories


Part Two: Philosophical Methods

5. Intuition, Construction and Recollection

6. Reason and Experience

7. System

8. History of Philosophy


Part Three: The Ideal World

9. Freedom

10. Art and Mythology

11. Religion

12. Politics

The first textbook devoted to F.W.J. Schelling's philosophy, comprising classic and newly-translated readings, from throughout his 55 year career, in metaphysics, epistemology, philosophy of nature, ethics, aesthetics, philosophy of religion, and political philosophy.