Philosophy ETDs

Publication Date

Summer 7-29-2025

Abstract

“Harmony and Disquietude: Leibnizian Currents in German Idealist Thought” is an attempt to rewrite the standard narrative of German Idealism scholarship represented in the ‘Kant to Hegel’ genre through an emphasis on its relationship to 18th century Leibnizianism. In particular, I articulate an extended history of the Pantheism Controversy (Pantheismusstreit) back to the reception of Spinoza in late 17th century thinkers like Bayle and Leibniz whose influence would dominate the early 18th century of German philosophy. The work engages in close readings of figures such as Gottfried Leibniz, Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Salomon Maimon, J.G. Fichte, and G.W.F. Hegel to reveal continuities in idealist thought often obscured by an exclusively Kantian orientation.

Degree Name

Philosophy

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

Philosophy

First Committee Member (Chair)

Adrian Johnston

Second Committee Member

Ann Murphy

Third Committee Member

Paul Livingston

Fourth Committee Member

Yitzhak Melamed

Language

English

Keywords

German Idealism, Leibniz, the Enlightenment, Hegel, Fichte, Maimon

Document Type

Dissertation

Comments

I plan to have my dissertation embargoed for two years.

Available for download on Thursday, July 29, 2027

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