Schleiermacher: On Religion: Speeches to Its Cultured DespisersA classic of modern religious thought, Schleiermacher's On Religion: Speeches to its Cultured Despisers is here presented in Richard Crouter's acclaimed English translation of the 1799 edition, originally published in Cambridge Texts in German Philosophy. Written when its youthful author was deeply involved in German Romanticism and the critique of Kant's moral and religious philosophy, it is a masterly expression of Protestant Christian apologetics of the modern period, which powerfully displays the tensions between the Romantic and Enlightenment accounts of religion. Unlike the revised versions of 1806 and 1821, which modify the language of feeling and intuition and translate the argument into more traditional academic and Christian categories, the 1799 text more fully reveals its original audience's literary and social world. Richard Crouter's introduction places the work in the milieu of early German Romanticism, Kant criticism, the revival of Spinoza and Plato studies, and theories of literary criticism and of the physical sciences, and his fully annotated edition also includes a chronology and notes on further reading. |
Common terms and phrases
able action activity actually allusion appear artistic beautiful become believe Berlin better Christian completely concept consciousness consider contemplation corruption Critique deity determinate forms divine edition elements essence of religion eternal ethical everything everywhere existence expression Fichte finite form of religion freedom French Revolution Friedrich Schlegel Friedrich Schleiermacher Friedrich Wilhelm III German German Romanticism heavenly Henriette Herz Hermeneutics higher highest holy idea imagination individual infinite inner innermost intuit the universe intuitions and feelings Jewish emancipation Kant Kant's limited literary Lucinde manifestations mediator merely metaphysics mind moral natural religion never Ninian Smart Novalis object original pantheism particular penetrate person philosophy Plato poetry positive religion present principle realm reason relationship religious intuitions revelation Romantic Romanticism Schleiermacher's seek sense society soul speak Spinoza spirit stand striving sublime supposed theology things thought true church understanding unique unity Wachenroder whole wish yourselves