Author: Özgür Olgun Erden, Middle East Technical University (METU), Turkey
Email: ozgurerden1871@yahoo.com & ozerden@metu.edu.tr
Published: November 19, 2018
https://doi.org/10.22492/ijerp.4.1.02
Citation: Erden, O. O. (2018). J. G. Fichte as a Post-Kantian Philosopher and His Political Theory: A Return to Romanticism. IAFOR Journal of Ethics, Religion & Philosophy, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.22492/ijerp.4.1.02
Abstract
This paper fundamentally deals with J. G. Fichte’s philosophical views, which reshapes intellectual-philosophical bases of the post-Enlightenment era and makes a strong criticism of Kantian thinking. Philosophically, Fichte’s philosophy, more representing a return to romanticism, will be debated on the basis of some concepts, among of which has been reason, science, tradition, religion, state, individual, and community. From his viewpoint, it will interrogate relationships among ego, morality and moral order. Based on these relationships, it will be tried to explain what man’s moral nature is and how moral consciousness is conceptualized in Fichte’ thought. The debates between these concepts will provides basis for a political theory framed by Fichte. Also, it will indicate how a political theory there was developed, outlined by Fichte for German nation over two basic concepts, moral nature and moral consciousness. Taking account of all these discussions, in conclusion it will argue that his political theory had more liberal-conservative implications, along with nationalist ones.
Keywords
morality, consciousness, political theory, Fichte’s moral philosophy