Philosophical Inquiries into the Essence of Human Freedom (original German title Philosophische Untersuchungen über das Wesen der menschlichen Freiheit und die damit zusammenhängenden Gegenstände) is an 1809 work by Friedrich Schelling. It was the last book he finished in his lifetime, running to some 90 pages of a single long essay. It is commonly referred to as his "Freiheitsschrift" (freedom text) or "freedom essay".
It was described by Hans Urs von Balthasar as "the most titanic work of German idealism". It is also seen as anticipating much of the collection of basic existentialist motifs. Its ambitions were high: to tackle the problem of radical evil, and to innovate at a metaphysical level, in particular to correct dualism. As its title suggests, it intends to give an account of human freedom, and the requirements on the philosophical side to protect this idea from particular formulations, at issue during the period, of determinism.
Read more about Philosophical Inquiries Into The Essence Of Human Freedom: Influences On Schelling, Themes, Summary, A Debated Transition, English Translations, References
Famous quotes containing the words essence, human and/or freedom:
“It is plain that there is no separate essence called courage, no cup or cell in the brain, no vessel in the heart containing drops or atoms that make or give this virtue; but it is the right or healthy state of every man, when he is free to do that which is constitutional to him to do.”
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We hold like rights and shall;—
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Or land or life, if freedom fail?”
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