Johann Gottlieb Fichte

Rodney F. Taylor

Ed. by Gerhard P. Knapp, University of Utah
The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.4.1: German-language Writing and Culture: Germany, 500-present.
Vol. editors: Gerhard P. Knapp (University of Utah), Jennifer Marston William (Purdue University), Herbert Rowland (Purdue University), Jill E. Twark (East Carolina University)

Dates

Born 19 May 1762
Died 27 Jan 1814
Activity 1790-1813

Places

Born in Germany
Active in Germany

Activities

Primary

Philosopher

Other

Essayist
Historian / Chronicler
Lecturer
Political writer

Resources

Fichte's Works

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The progenitor of German idealism, Johann Gottlieb Fichte, lived through one of the most intellectually creative and politically turbulent epochs in history. He was deeply affected by such events of overriding historical and philosophical significance as the French Revolution, the appearance of Critical Philosophy and the rise and fall of Napoleon. As a young man, Fichte was inspired by the democratic ideals of the French Revolution and throughout his career endeavoured to unify his theory of cognition with a metaphysic of ethical action having profound political implications. At the height of his fame, he became the embodiment of German democratic unity in a politically fragmented Germany languishing under the shadow of the power of the princes. Synthesizing his political ideals with a…

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3174 words

Citation: Taylor, Rodney F.. "Johann Gottlieb Fichte". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 19 November 2005 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=1516, accessed 23 November 2024.]