Author: Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph von Schelling File Type: pdf em 14pxThe first English translation of Schellings final existential system. The Berlin lectures in The Grounding of Positive Philosophy, appearing here for the first time in English, advance Schellings final existential system as an alternative to modernitys reduction of philosophy to a purely formal science of reason. The onetime protege of Fichte and benefactor of Hegel, Schelling accuses German Idealism of dealing with the world of lived experience just as a surgeon who promises to cure your ailing leg by amputating it. Schellings appeal in Berlin for a positive, existential philosophy found an interested audience in Kierkegaard, Engels, Feuerbach, Marx, and Bakunin. His account of the ecstatic nature of existence and reason proved to be decisive for the work of Paul Tillich and Martin Heidegger. Also, Schellings critique of reasons quixotic attempt at self-grounding anticipates similar criticisms leveled by poststructuralism, but without sacrificing philosophys power to provide a positive account of truth and meaning. The Berlin lectures provide fascinating insight into the thought processes of one of the most provocative yet least understood thinkers of nineteenth-century German philosophy. Despite a strong resurgence of interest in his philosophy, Schellings final Berlin lectures have remained unavailable to English-reading audiences. At long last, in Bruce Matthewss able hands, this lacuna has been remedied. This is a strong and rigorous translation of the inaugural lectures, which, along with Matthewss compelling and informative introduction, not only provides readers with a taste of these remarkable and unduly neglected lecture courses, but also provides an overview of Schellings final project of positive philosophy and philosophical religion. These lectures are critical to a full appreciation of Schellings accomplishments. Jason M. Wirth, author of The Conspiracy of Life Meditations on Schelling and His Time With the publication of this translation, the last significant barrier to the reception of Schelling by the English-speaking philosophical community has been removed. As Bruce Matthews shows in his powerful introductory essay, Schellings philosophical confrontation with Kant and Hegel gave birth to an utterly new and independent way of doing philosophy, one grounded not in the concept but in the intuition of existence itself. Joseph P. Lawrence, College of the Holy Cross Bruce Matthews is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Bard High School Early College. **Review Despite a strong resurgence of interest in his philosophy, Schelling s final Berlin lectures have remained unavailable to English-reading audiences. At long last, in Bruce Matthews s able hands, this lacuna has been remedied. This is a strong and rigorous translation of the inaugural lectures, which, along with Matthews s compelling and informative introduction, not only provides readers with a taste of these remarkable and unduly neglected lecture courses, but also provides an overview of Schelling s final project of positive philosophy and philosophical religion. These lectures are critical to a full appreciation of Schelling s accomplishments. Jason M. Wirth, author of The Conspiracy of Life Meditations on Schelling and His Time With the publication of this translation, the last significant barrier to the reception of Schelling by the English-speaking philosophical community has been removed. As Bruce Matthews shows in his powerful introductory essay, Schelling s philosophical confrontation with Kant and Hegel gave birth to an utterly new and independent way of doing philosophy, one grounded not in the concept but in the intuition of existence itself. Joseph P. Lawrence, College of the Holy Cross

Author: David Cannadine File Type: epub The British Empire has generally been seen as a racist empire (most influentially in Edward Saids ORIENTALISM). While not wholly denying this, Cannadine, in this funny, often horrifying book, suggests a different dynamic. The British rulers were motivated not by race but by class - they loathed Indians or Africans no more or less than they loathed the great majority of Englishmen, dreaming of an empire based on deference and feudalism. The often farcical gap between these views and reality make ORNAMENTALISM both highly enjoyable and extremely provocative for anyone wishing to understand how the British Empire really worked.