Philosophical Review

Studien zur Entwicklungsgeschichte der Fichteschen Wissenschaftslehre aus der KantischenPhilosophie by Willy KabitzReview by: Ellen Bliss TalbotThe Philosophical Review, Vol. 12, No. 2 (Mar., 1903), p. 230Published by: Duke University Press on behalf of Philosophical ReviewStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2177101 .

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230 THE PHILOSOPHICAL REVIEW. [VOL. XII.

Sludien zur Entwicklungsgeschichte der Fichteschen Wissenschaftslehre aus der Kantischen Philosotihie. Von WILLY KABITZ. Berlin, Reuther & Reichard, 1902.-Pp. 132.

In this volume we have a careful study of Fichte's philosophical develop- ment down to the time of the writing of the Grundlage der gesammien Wissenschaffslehre. Section I. gives a brief sketch of the development of Fichte's thought before his acquaintance with Kant's writings. Then fol- lows, in Section II., a summary of those features of the critical philosophy which are important for the author's purpose. The third section discusses the modification and development which this philosophy passed through in the hands of Fichte, before he really worked out a system of his own; while the fourth and last section treats of the origin of the Wissenschaffslehre. Throughout the book, references are made to certain hitherto unpublished letters and fragments to which the author has had access, and some of which are here printed as an appendix.

In his account of Fichte's early philosophical development, Dr. Kabitz lays stress upon the influence of Lessing and Rousseau. Fichte's phi- losophy of religion shown traces of Lessing, while the influence which Rousseau exerted upon him appears in his interest in education and in his exaltation of practical over speculative matters. As to Spinoza, Dr. Kabitz is inclined to think that his influence upon Fichte during this period has been greatly over-estimated. Fichte undoubtedly knew something of Spinoza's doctrines, but there is no good evidence to show that he had read Spinoza; his acceptance of determinism may have been due to the influences of Crusius, with whose writings he was certainly familiar.

In the modifications which the critical philosophy received at the hands of Fichte, the rationalistic tendency which he shared with Kant becomes more and more apparent. This tendency was fostered by his acquaintance with Reinhold's doctrines. The influence of Reinhold is further seen in Fichte's attempt to give philosophy a psychological basis, rather than the logical one which Kant gave it.

The skepticism of Aenesidemus made a profound impression upon Fichte. It was the influence of this work which led him to that complete recon- struction of philosophy for which a long development had been preparing him. In his consideration of the origin of the Wissenschaf/slehre, the author devotes himself to a study of an unpublished manuscript, in which Fichte discusses many of the problems which he afterwards dealt with in the Grundlage of I794. This discussion is too detailed for consideration here. It is evident, however, that the manuscript is of considerable value, and it is to be hoped that it may be edited and published before long.

ELLEN BLISS TALBOT. MOUNT HOLYOKE COLLEGE.

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