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Lebensphilosophie

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Fritz Heinemann (8 February 1889 – 7 January 1970) was a German philosopher .

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82-503: Lebensphilosophie ( German: [ˈleːbm̩s.filozoˌfiː] ; meaning ' philosophy of life ') was a dominant philosophical movement of German-speaking countries in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, which had developed out of German Romanticism . Lebensphilosophie emphasised the meaning, value and purpose of life as the foremost focus of philosophy. Its central theme was that an understanding of life can only be apprehended by life itself, and from within itself. Drawing on

164-459: A certain cultural mood that influenced large parts of the intelligentsia . Lebensphilosophie was equated with the popular philosophy that was widespread in the late 18th century, which deliberately distanced itself from school philosophy and, as a philosophy of practical action, was committed to the general dissemination of the ideas of the Enlightenment . Since then, the wisdom of life and

246-400: A certain cultural mood that influenced large parts of the intelligentsia . Lebensphilosophie was equated with the popular philosophy that was widespread in the late 18th century, which deliberately distanced itself from school philosophy and, as a philosophy of practical action, was committed to the general dissemination of the ideas of the Enlightenment . Since then, the wisdom of life and

328-476: A contradiction between two different forces: on the one hand, the reasonable and calm Apollonian force and on the other, the exuberant and wasteful Dionysian force; an contradiction that he also observed present in the classical Greek tragedy . Nietzsche explicitly connected the Dionysian force with Schopenhauer's metaphysical Will. In ancient Greece there was a good balance between both principles. However, this

410-424: A contradiction between two different forces: on the one hand, the reasonable and calm Apollonian force and on the other, the exuberant and wasteful Dionysian force; an contradiction that he also observed present in the classical Greek tragedy . Nietzsche explicitly connected the Dionysian force with Schopenhauer's metaphysical Will. In ancient Greece there was a good balance between both principles. However, this

492-417: A critical stress on norms and conventions. The first elements of a Lebensphilosophie are found in the context of early German Romanticism which conceived existence as a continuous tension of "the finite towards the infinite ", an aspiration that was always disappointed and generated either a withdrawal into oneself and detachment with an attitude of pessimistic renunciation, or on the contrary exaltation of

574-416: A critical stress on norms and conventions. The first elements of a Lebensphilosophie are found in the context of early German Romanticism which conceived existence as a continuous tension of "the finite towards the infinite ", an aspiration that was always disappointed and generated either a withdrawal into oneself and detachment with an attitude of pessimistic renunciation, or on the contrary exaltation of

656-611: A fundamental step, but also insufficiently radical. The Lebensphilosophie movement bore indirect relation to the subjectivist philosophy of vitalism developed by Henri Bergson , which lent importance to immediacy of experience . An early systematic presentation was formulated by the German psychologist Philipp Lersch  [ de ] , who, while primarily studying Bergson , Dilthey and Spengler , saw Georg Simmel and Ludwig Klages as Lebensphilosophie's most important representatives. Philosopher Fritz Heinemann considered

738-559: A fundamental step, but also insufficiently radical. The Lebensphilosophie movement bore indirect relation to the subjectivist philosophy of vitalism developed by Henri Bergson , which lent importance to immediacy of experience . An early systematic presentation was formulated by the German psychologist Philipp Lersch  [ de ] , who, while primarily studying Bergson , Dilthey and Spengler , saw Georg Simmel and Ludwig Klages as Lebensphilosophie's most important representatives. Philosopher Fritz Heinemann considered

820-428: A philosophy based on the concept of the world, which comes from life itself and is aimed at practical life. Other individuals associated with the earliest forms of "Lebensphilosophie" were Johann August Ernesti and Johann Georg Heinrich Feder . At the end of the 18th century, life and world wisdom were fashionable terms in higher social circles. The philosophy of life was less a specific philosophical doctrine than

902-426: A philosophy based on the concept of the world, which comes from life itself and is aimed at practical life. Other individuals associated with the earliest forms of "Lebensphilosophie" were Johann August Ernesti and Johann Georg Heinrich Feder . At the end of the 18th century, life and world wisdom were fashionable terms in higher social circles. The philosophy of life was less a specific philosophical doctrine than

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984-434: A wish is fulfilled, it immediately becomes unreal and only grief and pain remain. In this way, human life is nothingness, emptiness (vanitas) and vanity, covered by the deceptive veil of Maya. In earthly life, man can only escape this emptiness through abstinence and asceticism , the highest form of which, complete contemplation, can be found in art. Schopenhauer's additional reflections on the practice of life can be found in

1066-434: A wish is fulfilled, it immediately becomes unreal and only grief and pain remain. In this way, human life is nothingness, emptiness (vanitas) and vanity, covered by the deceptive veil of Maya. In earthly life, man can only escape this emptiness through abstinence and asceticism , the highest form of which, complete contemplation, can be found in art. Schopenhauer's additional reflections on the practice of life can be found in

1148-418: Is contributed to Charles Darwin 's theory of evolution and the effect it had on society ; resulting in an proverbial " biologization " of man and society in which everything began to be interpreted in terms of survival and natural selection (i.e. social Darwinism ). Man was no longer seen as a being that was completely different from animals, but only as one of them, although he was often placed higher on

1230-443: Is instead understood as part of a biocentric distinction between life-affirming and life-denying principles. While often rejected by academic philosophers, it had strong repercussions in the arts. This philosophy pays special attention to life as a whole, which can only be understood from within. The movement can be regarded as a rejection of Kantian abstract philosophy or scientific reductionism of positivism. Inspired by

1312-458: Is never adaptation, conservation, but continuous growth without which the living being dies. The typical attempt of humanity to found its life on certainties, seeking them in religion , science , moral values , causes it to die out, overwhelmed by the proverbial "modern culture". In the field of ancient philosophy , whilst almost all philosophers have sidestepped the question of "how man should live", some had devoted themselves to it entirely. At

1394-458: Is never adaptation, conservation, but continuous growth without which the living being dies. The typical attempt of humanity to found its life on certainties, seeking them in religion , science , moral values , causes it to die out, overwhelmed by the proverbial "modern culture". In the field of ancient philosophy , whilst almost all philosophers have sidestepped the question of "how man should live", some had devoted themselves to it entirely. At

1476-536: Is primarily a "willing" being: he continually desires things, without rational grounds, but only on the basis of emotions and drives. On chapter 46 of The World as Will and Representation , entitled "On the Nothingness and Suffering of Life," Schopenhauer describes man as a suffering and lost individual who only finds salvation through death. Man lives in a constant desire with limitless wishes and inexhaustible demands, so that he can never find happiness and salvation. If

1558-482: Is primarily a "willing" being: he continually desires things, without rational grounds, but only on the basis of emotions and drives. On chapter 46 of The World as Will and Representation , entitled "On the Nothingness and Suffering of Life," Schopenhauer describes man as a suffering and lost individual who only finds salvation through death. Man lives in a constant desire with limitless wishes and inexhaustible demands, so that he can never find happiness and salvation. If

1640-483: Is questionable. Vitality in this sense is instead understood as part of a biocentric distinction between life-affirming and life-denying principles. While often rejected by academic philosophers, it had strong repercussions in the arts. This philosophy pays special attention to life as a whole, which can only be understood from within. The movement can be regarded as a rejection of Kantian abstract philosophy or scientific reductionism of positivism. Inspired by

1722-418: Is therefore in fact only an illusory veil that lies over reality as it really is: in reality the world is nothing other than a World Will that, without any rational principle, continually produces new phenomenal manifestations, such as man, in order to express its own will. The world is therefore anything but rational and benign, and reason is certainly not central. The world is indifferent to man, and man himself

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1804-418: Is therefore in fact only an illusory veil that lies over reality as it really is: in reality the world is nothing other than a World Will that, without any rational principle, continually produces new phenomenal manifestations, such as man, in order to express its own will. The world is therefore anything but rational and benign, and reason is certainly not central. The world is indifferent to man, and man himself

1886-705: The Romantic movement . Romantics such as Novalis emphasized that not only reason, but also the feelings and wills that are more closely related to life, must be taken into account in philosophy. "Philosophy of life contains the science of independent, self-made life, which is in my own power - and belongs to the doctrine of the art of living - or the system of rules for preparing such a life for oneself." In 1794, Immanuel Kant opposed this type of “salon philosophy” in his essay Über den Gemeinspruch: Das mag in der Theorie richtig sein, taugt aber nicht für die Praxis  [ de ] . In 1827, Friedrich Schlegel 's lectures on

1968-653: The Romantic movement . Romantics such as Novalis emphasized that not only reason, but also the feelings and wills that are more closely related to life, must be taken into account in philosophy. "Philosophy of life contains the science of independent, self-made life, which is in my own power - and belongs to the doctrine of the art of living - or the system of rules for preparing such a life for oneself." In 1794, Immanuel Kant opposed this type of “salon philosophy” in his essay Über den Gemeinspruch: Das mag in der Theorie richtig sein, taugt aber nicht für die Praxis  [ de ] . In 1827, Friedrich Schlegel 's lectures on

2050-447: The deterministic philosophy of nature as defended by John Stuart Mill and Herbert Spencer . Human experience always involves experiencing a coherence; a coherence that cannot be divided into scientific " atoms " or basic elements . Philosophy of life Lebensphilosophie ( German: [ˈleːbm̩s.filozoˌfiː] ; meaning ' philosophy of life ') was a dominant philosophical movement of German-speaking countries in

2132-530: The deterministic philosophy of nature as defended by John Stuart Mill and Herbert Spencer . Human experience always involves experiencing a coherence; a coherence that cannot be divided into scientific " atoms " or basic elements . Fritz Heinemann (philosopher) Born in Lüneburg , he taught at Frankfurt University from 1930 to 1933. From 1939 to 1956, he taught at Manchester College , Oxford . In Neue Wege der Philosophie (1929) Heinemann heralded

2214-399: The "interpreting soul" encompasses the full consciousness and not just reason. The interpreting soul, however, includes both the distinguishing, connecting, deductive reason, as well as the pondering, inventing, presaging imagination; it encompasses both forces, standing in the middle between them. But it also forms the turning point of the transition between understanding and will, and, as

2296-431: The "interpreting soul" encompasses the full consciousness and not just reason. The interpreting soul, however, includes both the distinguishing, connecting, deductive reason, as well as the pondering, inventing, presaging imagination; it encompasses both forces, standing in the middle between them. But it also forms the turning point of the transition between understanding and will, and, as the connecting middle link, fills

2378-758: The Lebensphilosophie as an intermediate stage in the transition from the philosophy of spirit to the philosophy of existence . Georg Misch , Dilthey's student and son-in-law, worked out the relationship between the philosophy of Martin Heidegger and Edmund Husserl and the Lebensphilosophie in 1930. Characteristics that regularly recur in the work of Lebensphilosophie thinkers, although not in every writer, can be summarized as follows: Additionally, Lebensphilosophie can be divided into following different schools: The Lebensphilosophie tries to make sense of an continuous and unresolved clash between "the infinite and

2460-641: The Lebensphilosophie as an intermediate stage in the transition from the philosophy of spirit to the philosophy of existence . Georg Misch , Dilthey's student and son-in-law, worked out the relationship between the philosophy of Martin Heidegger and Edmund Husserl and the Lebensphilosophie in 1930. Characteristics that regularly recur in the work of Lebensphilosophie thinkers, although not in every writer, can be summarized as follows: Additionally, Lebensphilosophie can be divided into following different schools: The Lebensphilosophie tries to make sense of an continuous and unresolved clash between "the infinite and

2542-400: The Lebensphilosophie, such as a view of world events as an organic structure and the concepts of the will to power and the eternal return . Nietzsche turned Schopenhauer's concept of the will as the will to live into the formula of the will to power, which dominates all life. Already in his early work The Birth of Tragedy , Nietzsche established that the human condition is determined by

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2624-400: The Lebensphilosophie, such as a view of world events as an organic structure and the concepts of the will to power and the eternal return . Nietzsche turned Schopenhauer's concept of the will as the will to live into the formula of the will to power, which dominates all life. Already in his early work The Birth of Tragedy , Nietzsche established that the human condition is determined by

2706-470: The Lebensphilosophie, which were explicitly directed against the "system philosophers" Kant and Hegel , helped the philosophy of life to gain wider attention. Schlegel viewed the formal concepts of school philosophy, such as logic, as merely preparation, not as philosophy itself. To him, philosophy must mediate between the philosophy of reason and natural science. That it is important to explore "the inner spiritual life, and indeed in all its fullness" and that

2788-470: The Lebensphilosophie, which were explicitly directed against the "system philosophers" Kant and Hegel , helped the philosophy of life to gain wider attention. Schlegel viewed the formal concepts of school philosophy, such as logic, as merely preparation, not as philosophy itself. To him, philosophy must mediate between the philosophy of reason and natural science. That it is important to explore "the inner spiritual life, and indeed in all its fullness" and that

2870-508: The Philosophy of Life from 1772 and Karl Philipp Moritz : Contributions to the Philosophy of Life from 1780 (already in its third edition in 1791). Characteristics of Lebensphilosophie are attributed to verse from Goethe 's Faust ; All theory, dear friend, is gray, but the golden tree of life springs ever green. The Lebensphilosophie found new inspiration in Sturm und Drang movement, as well as

2952-407: The Philosophy of Life from 1772 and Karl Philipp Moritz : Contributions to the Philosophy of Life from 1780 (already in its third edition in 1791). Characteristics of Lebensphilosophie are attributed to verse from Goethe 's Faust ; All theory, dear friend, is gray, but the golden tree of life springs ever green. The Lebensphilosophie found new inspiration in Sturm und Drang movement, as well as

3034-640: The active character of life, contrasting it with the staticity of idealistic perfection of rationalism . Schopenhauer reveals the essential irrationality of living that manifests itself in the will to live ( German : Wille zum Leben ) , the senseless noumenal essence of everything in the world that has the sole purpose of increasing itself. Nietzsche conceives life as a continuous growth and overcoming of those values consolidated over time that would hypocritically try to normalize existence in current morality. Life, in Nietzsche's thought, contrary to Darwinism ,

3116-588: The active character of life, contrasting it with the staticity of idealistic perfection of rationalism . Schopenhauer reveals the essential irrationality of living that manifests itself in the will to live ( German : Wille zum Leben ) , the senseless noumenal essence of everything in the world that has the sole purpose of increasing itself. Nietzsche conceives life as a continuous growth and overcoming of those values consolidated over time that would hypocritically try to normalize existence in current morality. Life, in Nietzsche's thought, contrary to Darwinism ,

3198-465: The aphorisms on the Parerga and Paralipomena . The thought of Friedrich Nietzsche is also considered a forerunner of the Lebensphilosophie. Nietzsche was a follower of Schopenhauer's philosophy and was known for expressing his skepticism towards reason, science, culture and the modern ideal of the search for truth. Throughout his work, Nietzsche developed ideas that are considered to be inspiration for

3280-416: The aphorisms on the Parerga and Paralipomena . The thought of Friedrich Nietzsche is also considered a forerunner of the Lebensphilosophie. Nietzsche was a follower of Schopenhauer's philosophy and was known for expressing his skepticism towards reason, science, culture and the modern ideal of the search for truth. Throughout his work, Nietzsche developed ideas that are considered to be inspiration for

3362-404: The connecting middle link, fills the gap that lies between the two and separates them. It was not until the second half of the 19th century until Lebensphilosophie could be tangibly identified as a real movement. It nevertheless contained many of the ideas that were already present in the predecessors, but radicalized and extrapolated them and developed them into a fully-fledged philosophy through

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3444-545: The critique of rationalism in the works of Arthur Schopenhauer , Søren Kierkegaard , and Friedrich Nietzsche , Lebensphilosophie emerged in 19th-century Germany as a reaction to the Age of Enlightenment , rise of positivism and the theoretical focus prominent in much of post-Kantian philosophy. As such, Lebensphilosophie is defined as form of irrationalism , as well as a form of Counter-Enlightenment . Twentieth-century forms of Lebensphilosophie can be identified with

3526-494: The critique of rationalism in the works of Arthur Schopenhauer , Søren Kierkegaard , and Friedrich Nietzsche , Lebensphilosophie emerged in 19th-century Germany as a reaction to the Age of Enlightenment , rise of positivism and the theoretical focus prominent in much of post-Kantian philosophy. As such, Lebensphilosophie is defined as form of irrationalism , as well as a form of Counter-Enlightenment . Twentieth-century forms of Lebensphilosophie can be identified with

3608-494: The critiques of epistemology offered by Schopenhauer and Nietzsche , notable ideas of the movement have been seen as precursors to both Husserlian phenomenology and Heideggerian existential phenomenology . Lebensphilosophie criticised both mechanistic and materialist approaches to science and philosophy and as such has also been referred to as the German vitalist movement , though its relationship to biological vitalism

3690-456: The efforts of a noted thinkers. Lebensphilosophie's emergence is contributed to Charles Darwin 's theory of evolution and the effect it had on society ; resulting in an proverbial " biologization " of man and society in which everything began to be interpreted in terms of survival and natural selection (i.e. social Darwinism ). Man was no longer seen as a being that was completely different from animals, but only as one of them, although he

3772-415: The evolutionary ladder. This opened the door to the Lebensphilosophie, which had to expand this tendency and extend it to all areas of reality. The other factor that paved the way for Lebensphilosophie was the situation at German universities in the second half of the 19th century. The German government then decided to impose strict censorship on German universities. However, this also affected philosophy, in

3854-468: The finite", that is shown in the incessant fading of living beings. The questions that the Lebensphilosophie poses find a first answer in the fifteen lectures held in 1827 in Vienna by Friedrich Schlegel who sees the nucleus of divine revelation in the highlighting of the infinite in the finite of man. Referring to this romantic vision, both Schopenhauer and Nietzsche, with completely different results, exalt

3936-419: The finite", that is shown in the incessant fading of living beings. The questions that the Lebensphilosophie poses find a first answer in the fifteen lectures held in 1827 in Vienna by Friedrich Schlegel who sees the nucleus of divine revelation in the highlighting of the infinite in the finite of man. Referring to this romantic vision, both Schopenhauer and Nietzsche, with completely different results, exalt

4018-408: The first approaches to formalizing Lebensphilosophie, when he no longer placed reason , but will - thusly actual life - at the centre of his thinking. Seeing that the will is the primary basis of ideas, which is a blind, unstoppable urge that encompasses all of nature. Reason and knowledge are dependent on it and are an expression of the will, with the entire life force of the world being reflected in

4100-408: The first approaches to formalizing Lebensphilosophie, when he no longer placed reason , but will - thusly actual life - at the centre of his thinking. Seeing that the will is the primary basis of ideas, which is a blind, unstoppable urge that encompasses all of nature. Reason and knowledge are dependent on it and are an expression of the will, with the entire life force of the world being reflected in

4182-435: The gap that lies between the two and separates them. It was not until the second half of the 19th century until Lebensphilosophie could be tangibly identified as a real movement. It nevertheless contained many of the ideas that were already present in the predecessors, but radicalized and extrapolated them and developed them into a fully-fledged philosophy through the efforts of a noted thinkers. Lebensphilosophie's emergence

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4264-447: The highest form of life, but according to Nietzsche this is only a denial of the creative and dynamic power that life possesses. In his work, Twilight of the Idols , Nietzsche states that: Saying yes to life even in its strangest and hardest problems; the will to live, finding joy in the sacrifice of its highest types of its own inexhaustibility - I called that Dionysian, I guessed that

4346-399: The highest form of life, but according to Nietzsche this is only a denial of the creative and dynamic power that life possesses. In his work, Twilight of the Idols , Nietzsche states that: Saying yes to life even in its strangest and hardest problems; the will to live, finding joy in the sacrifice of its highest types of its own inexhaustibility - I called that Dionysian, I guessed that

4428-468: The influence of Schopenhauer and Nietzsche, the early modern form of Lebensphilosophie emerged in Germany near the end of the 19th century . The initial movement was known as " historicism ", which was primarily presented by Wilhelm Dilthey , Rudolf Eucken and Georg Simmel . One noted progenitor was Wilhelm Dilthey , in whose works the notion of "life" or "human experience" is central. He strongly opposed

4510-418: The influence of Schopenhauer and Nietzsche, the early modern form of Lebensphilosophie emerged in Germany near the end of the 19th century . The initial movement was known as " historicism ", which was primarily presented by Wilhelm Dilthey , Rudolf Eucken and Georg Simmel . One noted progenitor was Wilhelm Dilthey , in whose works the notion of "life" or "human experience" is central. He strongly opposed

4592-474: The instinctive spirit or vital impulse of the human being, a struggle for existence or a religious acceptance of the destiny of man entrusted to divine providence . Wilhelm Dilthey was the first to seek to account for a "pre-theoretical cohesion of living", by taking the phenomenological turn and relying on the historical experience of life, by highlighting relationships specific to life (Lebensbezüge), that Martin Heidegger would later considered both as

4674-473: The instinctive spirit or vital impulse of the human being, a struggle for existence or a religious acceptance of the destiny of man entrusted to divine providence . Wilhelm Dilthey was the first to seek to account for a "pre-theoretical cohesion of living", by taking the phenomenological turn and relying on the historical experience of life, by highlighting relationships specific to life (Lebensbezüge), that Martin Heidegger would later considered both as

4756-424: The late 19th and early 20th centuries, which had developed out of German Romanticism . Lebensphilosophie emphasised the meaning, value and purpose of life as the foremost focus of philosophy. Its central theme was that an understanding of life can only be apprehended by life itself, and from within itself. Drawing on the critiques of epistemology offered by Schopenhauer and Nietzsche , notable ideas of

4838-401: The loss of any kind of transcendental orientation, and the idea of eternal return can serve as a new guideline for life: the person should live in such a way that they would want it to return again and again. There was also the concept of " will to power ": man, life, and even all of reality does not strive for things like "the good" or "the truth", but rather only for more power. Largely due to

4920-401: The loss of any kind of transcendental orientation, and the idea of eternal return can serve as a new guideline for life: the person should live in such a way that they would want it to return again and again. There was also the concept of " will to power ": man, life, and even all of reality does not strive for things like "the good" or "the truth", but rather only for more power. Largely due to

5002-400: The movement have been seen as precursors to both Husserlian phenomenology and Heideggerian existential phenomenology . Lebensphilosophie criticised both mechanistic and materialist approaches to science and philosophy and as such has also been referred to as the German vitalist movement , though its relationship to biological vitalism is questionable. Vitality in this sense

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5084-464: The prime examples of this. The thinking of these precursors of the Lebensphilosophie reached the public through their writings, which are notable for their absence of philosophical jargon and were distributed outside of academic circuits. Thirdly, the political factor is also important, namely in political defeats, had their repercussions in philosophy. Lebensphilosophie precursor Arthur Schopenhauer 's 1818 work The World as Will and Representation ,

5166-462: The prime examples of this. The thinking of these precursors of the Lebensphilosophie reached the public through their writings, which are notable for their absence of philosophical jargon and were distributed outside of academic circuits. Thirdly, the political factor is also important, namely in political defeats, had their repercussions in philosophy. Lebensphilosophie precursor Arthur Schopenhauer 's 1818 work The World as Will and Representation ,

5248-448: The rise of National Socialism . Friedrich Nietzsche , Wilhelm Dilthey and Henri Bergson are considered to be the founders of Lebensphilosophie, with Max Scheler writing the first overview of the Lebensphilosophie in 1913, in which he pointed out the similarities between Nietzsche, Dilthey and Bergson. The main precursor and source of inspiration for the Lebensphilosophie was the German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer . He made

5330-444: The rise of National Socialism . Friedrich Nietzsche , Wilhelm Dilthey and Henri Bergson are considered to be the founders of Lebensphilosophie, with Max Scheler writing the first overview of the Lebensphilosophie in 1913, in which he pointed out the similarities between Nietzsche, Dilthey and Bergson. The main precursor and source of inspiration for the Lebensphilosophie was the German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer . He made

5412-496: The sense that only the philosophy accepted by the state was allowed to be disseminated and philosophy was limited to epistemology and logic . However, the German public also needed another philosophy, an ethics or metaphysics, a philosophy that could be a guideline for life. In order to fill this void, a group of philosophers emerged in Germany who developed their own philosophy independently of academic thinking. Philosophers such as Arthur Schopenhauer and Friedrich Nietzsche are

5494-496: The sense that only the philosophy accepted by the state was allowed to be disseminated and philosophy was limited to epistemology and logic . However, the German public also needed another philosophy, an ethics or metaphysics, a philosophy that could be a guideline for life. In order to fill this void, a group of philosophers emerged in Germany who developed their own philosophy independently of academic thinking. Philosophers such as Arthur Schopenhauer and Friedrich Nietzsche are

5576-481: The time, most philosophers and schools of thought focused almost exclusively on ethics and the good spirit . For one, Socrates had assumed " know thyself " as a maxim , and said that " the unexamined life is not worth living ", which forms one of the cornerstones of Lebensphilosophie thought. The roots for what would become Lebensphilosophie go back to the distinction made by Immanuel Kant , with regard to Christian Wolff ; between theoretical school philosophy and

5658-480: The time, most philosophers and schools of thought focused almost exclusively on ethics and the good spirit . For one, Socrates had assumed " know thyself " as a maxim , and said that " the unexamined life is not worth living ", which forms one of the cornerstones of Lebensphilosophie thought. The roots for what would become Lebensphilosophie go back to the distinction made by Immanuel Kant , with regard to Christian Wolff ; between theoretical school philosophy and

5740-658: The will. Since the will, the thing in itself, the inner content is the essence of the world; life, the visible world, the appearance, is only the mirror of the will; this will accompany the will as inseparably as its shadow accompanies the body: and if there is will, life, the world will also exist. The will to live is therefore certain of life. His philosophy is largely set out in his 1818 work The World as Will and Representation . In it, Schopenhauer voiced his criticism towards idealistic philosophers - such as Johann Gottlieb Fichte and Hegel - whom he accused of placing too much emphasis on reason and intellect. Schopenhauer himself

5822-657: The will. Since the will, the thing in itself, the inner content is the essence of the world; life, the visible world, the appearance, is only the mirror of the will; this will accompany the will as inseparably as its shadow accompanies the body: and if there is will, life, the world will also exist. The will to live is therefore certain of life. His philosophy is largely set out in his 1818 work The World as Will and Representation . In it, Schopenhauer voiced his criticism towards idealistic philosophers - such as Johann Gottlieb Fichte and Hegel - whom he accused of placing too much emphasis on reason and intellect. Schopenhauer himself

5904-465: The world has often been presented in aphorisms , for example by Friedrich Heinrich Jacobi in the Ffliegen Blätter: "Philosophy is an inner life. A philosophical life is a concentrated life. Through true philosophy the soul becomes still, and ultimately devout." In terms of the history of the concept, the first works to be recorded are those of Gottlob Benedict von Schirach : On Human Beauty and

5986-404: The world has often been presented in aphorisms , for example by Friedrich Heinrich Jacobi in the Ffliegen Blätter: "Philosophy is an inner life. A philosophical life is a concentrated life. Through true philosophy the soul becomes still, and ultimately devout." In terms of the history of the concept, the first works to be recorded are those of Gottlob Benedict von Schirach : On Human Beauty and

6068-466: Was a follower of Kant and retained his distinction between the "thing as we see it" and the " Thing-in-itself ". That the reality in itself is unknowable and is inaccessible to our senses. Schopenhauer, however, also states that there is another way to know the "Thing-in-itself": if one looks into oneself, one experiences that man is nothing more than the expression of an all-encompassing Will that lies hidden behind all phenomena. Reality as we experience it

6150-466: Was a follower of Kant and retained his distinction between the "thing as we see it" and the " Thing-in-itself ". That the reality in itself is unknowable and is inaccessible to our senses. Schopenhauer, however, also states that there is another way to know the "Thing-in-itself": if one looks into oneself, one experiences that man is nothing more than the expression of an all-encompassing Will that lies hidden behind all phenomena. Reality as we experience it

6232-464: Was disturbed by the ancient philosophy of Socrates and Plato . They rejected the Dionysian side of life and focused only on the Apollonian side, a shift that can be found throughout the history of Western philosophy . Nietzsche also called for getting rid of the too rationalistic side of life because it mainly results in a denial of life itself. Traditional philosophers praise the ascetic life as

6314-410: Was disturbed by the ancient philosophy of Socrates and Plato . They rejected the Dionysian side of life and focused only on the Apollonian side, a shift that can be found throughout the history of Western philosophy . Nietzsche also called for getting rid of the too rationalistic side of life because it mainly results in a denial of life itself. Traditional philosophers praise the ascetic life as

6396-425: Was not a success upon its release, but found its audience following the failure of the German revolutions of 1848–1849 and the subsequent mood of the country. Indeed, under these circumstances did Friedrich Nietzsche discover Schopenhauer's work and inspire him. Additionally, the German defeat during First World War led to a revival of the so-called German Lebensphilosophie, which in turn also had its influence on

6478-424: Was not a success upon its release, but found its audience following the failure of the German revolutions of 1848–1849 and the subsequent mood of the country. Indeed, under these circumstances did Friedrich Nietzsche discover Schopenhauer's work and inspire him. Additionally, the German defeat during First World War led to a revival of the so-called German Lebensphilosophie, which in turn also had its influence on

6560-445: Was often placed higher on the evolutionary ladder. This opened the door to the Lebensphilosophie, which had to expand this tendency and extend it to all areas of reality. The other factor that paved the way for Lebensphilosophie was the situation at German universities in the second half of the 19th century. The German government then decided to impose strict censorship on German universities. However, this also affected philosophy, in

6642-404: Was the bridge to the psychology of the tragic poet. Nietzsche also determined that there is no transcendental world to mirror ourselves in or to direct ourselves towards (after death); there is only this world and this life. All this is reflected in his well-known propositions such as " God is dead " and the " eternal recurrence " from his 1882 work, The Gay Science . The death of God implied

6724-404: Was the bridge to the psychology of the tragic poet. Nietzsche also determined that there is no transcendental world to mirror ourselves in or to direct ourselves towards (after death); there is only this world and this life. All this is reflected in his well-known propositions such as " God is dead " and the " eternal recurrence " from his 1882 work, The Gay Science . The death of God implied

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