The Philosophy of History, Vol. 2 of 2Schlegel, Friedrich von
Philosophy
The Philosophy of History, Vol. 2 of 2
Schlegel, Friedrich von
History; History -- Philosophy
newly enkindled love for our native speech, and for the early history
of our country, and its elder monuments of art--all these are subjects
of minor interest in the European point of view we here take, and form
but the prelude and introduction to that higher German science and
philosophy, which is now more immediately the subject of our
enquiries. Historical research should never be separated from any
philosophy, still less from the German; as historical erudition is the
most effectual counterpoise to that absolute spirit, so prevalent in
German science and German speculation.
Art and poetry constitute that department of intellect wherein every
nation should mostly follow the impulse of its own spirit, its own
feelings, and its own turn of fancy; and we must regard it as an
exception when the poetry of any particular nation, (such, for
instance, as that of the English at the present day), is felt and
received by other nations as an European poetry. On the other hand,
history is a sort of intellectual common open to all European nations.
The English, who in this department were ever so active and
distinguished, have, in very recent times, produced works on their own
national history, which really merit the name of classical monuments
of the new religious restoration. Science in general, and philosophy
in particular, should never be exclusive or national--should never be
called English or German--but should be general and European. And if
this is not so entirely the case as in the nature of things it ought
to be--we must ascribe it to the defects of particular forms. Of this
truth the example of the French language may convince us; for no one
will deny the metaphysical profundity of Count Maistre, or the
dialectic perspicacity of the Viscount De Bonald. Although those
absolute principles which appear to characterize the European nations
at this time, have much less influence on real life and on the social
relations in Germany than in any other country; yet the false spirit
of the absolute seems to be quite native to German science and
philosophy; and for a long period, has been the principal cause which
has cramped the religious spirit and feelings so natural to the German
character, or at least has given them a false direction.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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