Overview

A new interpretation of Schelling's 1809 treatise on freedom, demonstrating how the work is an answer to the problem of ground. This book is a new interpretation of Schelling's path-breaking 1809 treatise on freedom, the last major work published during his lifetime. The treatise is at the heart of the current Schelling renaissance-indeed, Heidegger calls it ""one of the most profound works of German, thus of Western, philosophy."" It is also one of the most demanding and complex texts in German Idealism. By tracing the problem of ground through Schelling's treatise, Mark J. Thomas provides a unified reading of the text, while unlocking the meaning of its most challenging passages through clear, detailed analysis. He shows how Schelling's implicit distinction between senses of ground is the key to his project of constructing a system that can satisfy reason while accommodating objects that seem to defy rational explanation-including evil, the origins of nature, and absolute freedom. This allows Schelling to unite reason and mystery, providing a rich model for philosophizing about freedom and evil today.

Full Product Details

Author:   Mark J. Thomas
Publisher:   State University of New York Press
Imprint:   State University of New York Press
Dimensions:   Width: 15.20cm , Height: 2.50cm , Length: 22.90cm
Weight:   0.467kg
ISBN:  

9781438492995

ISBN 10:   1438492995
Pages:   356
Publication Date:   02 November 2023
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Manufactured on demand  
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Table of Contents

Acknowledgments Abbreviations Introduction 1. Ground and the Question of a System of Freedom The Concept of System The Principle of Ground and the Concept of System Jacobi and the Conflict between System and Freedom Two Predominant Metaphors for System Conclusion: Heidegger and the Alleged Failure of a System of Freedom 2. Identity, Ground, and the Meaning of the Copula in Judgments Pantheism and the Nature of Identity Explication of Schelling’s Four Accounts of the Copula Conclusion: The Unity of Schelling’s Account of the Copula? 3. The Creative Unity of the Law of Identity The Unity Expressed by the Law of Identity The Co-originality of the Laws of Identity and Ground The Transformation of the Law of Ground Divine Grounding and the Possibility of Freedom 4. Schelling’s Fundamental Distinction between Ground and What Exists General Characterization of the Distinction The Distinction in Relation to the Doctrine of Potencies The Distinction within the Distinction The Grounding Character of the Ground of Existence Grounding Relations in a System of Freedom 5. Evil and the Irrational The Ground of Evil Evil as a Ground of Revelation? The Irrational and the Irreducible Remainder The Living Character of Schelling’s Rationalism 6. The Ungrund as the Ultimate Origin The Context of Schelling’s Treatment of the Ungrund The Ungrund as the Wesen of the Two Principles in God Characteristics of the Ungrund and Its Relation to Schelling’s Previous Descriptions of the Absolute Indifference and the Grounding Character of the Ungrund The Ungrund and the Relationship between Essence and Form 7. Freedom, Necessity, and Self-Grounding The Formal vs. the Real Concept of Freedom The Unity of Freedom and Necessity beyond Appearance The Intelligible Deed Self-Grounding and the Concept of Causa Sui Conclusion: Ground in a System of Freedom Notes Bibliography Index

Reviews

"""In this extraordinary book, Mark Thomas takes the question of ground as central to Schelling's philosophy, especially to his famous treatise on human freedom. Thomas shows how the theme of ground provides a means by which to understand such concepts as freedom, reason, existence, and evil. The book displays exemplary precision as well as original and profound insights into Schelling's thought. Thomas explains in detail the way in which all of Schelling's writings come together in his project of a system of freedom. Finally, Thomas shows how Schelling's concept of ground represents a challenge to classical metaphysics and both anticipation and critique of several major issues in contemporary philosophy. Thomas's book is—and will no doubt remain—a landmark in the interpretation of Schelling's philosophy."" — John Sallis, Boston College ""With this thoroughly researched and carefully argued book, Mark Thomas sets a new standard for rigor in Schelling studies. I anticipate that within the next few years everyone doing serious work on the Freedom Essay will be expected to read and comment on this book."" — Christopher Lauer, author of The Suspension of Reason in Hegel and Schelling"

""In this extraordinary book, Mark Thomas takes the question of ground as central to Schelling's philosophy, especially to his famous treatise on human freedom. Thomas shows how the theme of ground provides a means by which to understand such concepts as freedom, reason, existence, and evil. The book displays exemplary precision as well as original and profound insights into Schelling's thought. Thomas explains in detail the way in which all of Schelling's writings come together in his project of a system of freedom. Finally, Thomas shows how Schelling's concept of ground represents a challenge to classical metaphysics and both anticipation and critique of several major issues in contemporary philosophy. Thomas's book is—and will no doubt remain—a landmark in the interpretation of Schelling's philosophy."" — John Sallis, Boston College ""With this thoroughly researched and carefully argued book, Mark Thomas sets a new standard for rigor in Schelling studies. I anticipate that within the next few years everyone doing serious work on the Freedom Essay will be expected to read and comment on this book."" — Christopher Lauer, author of The Suspension of Reason in Hegel and Schelling

Author Information

Mark J. Thomas is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Central College.

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