Geschichtsphilosophie entsteht aus der Auseinandersetzung der seit Descartes ihrer selbst bewussten Vernunft mit der Tradition, besonders mit der Religion. Spinoza vertritt vehement einen vernünftigen Gottesbegriff. Ihm schließen sich in Schellings Sicht Lessing und Herder an. Kants Kritik ersetzt diesen Gottesbegriff durch einen kritischen, der Freiheit in der Geschichte denken lässt. Schelling denkt über Kant hinaus den sich offenbarenden Gott als Ermöglichung von Geschichte, als Vollzug von Freiheit. Die Auseinandersetzung mit der religiösen Tradition führte nicht zu einer Auflösung des Gottesbegriffs, sondern vielmehr zu seinem tieferen Verständnis.
"Schelling's Concept of God and his Philosophy of History." (Text in German.)
Schelling's philosophy of history does not belong to his most popular theories. It is often viewed as idealistic and, therefore, interpreted as speculative, only to be dismissed. Had Schelling succeeded in demonstrating that history not only needs the Absolute but a living God as well, his thoughts about history would not have led him into unrealistic speculation, but to the ultimate reality itself.The philosophy of history originated from the debate between the mind, conscious of itself since Descartes, and tradition, especially religion. Spinoza was a vehement advocate of a sensible concept of God. According to Schelling, Lessing and Herder agreed with him. Kant's critique replaced this concept of God with a critical concept which allows freedom to be conceivable in history. Schelling goes beyond Kant in conceiving of a God who reveals Himself as an enablement of history, as a realization of freedom. The dispute with religious tradition does not lead to an elimination of the concept of God but instead to a deeper understanding of Him.
"Schelling's Concept of God and his Philosophy of History." (Text in German.)
Schelling's philosophy of history does not belong to his most popular theories. It is often viewed as idealistic and, therefore, interpreted as speculative, only to be dismissed. Had Schelling succeeded in demonstrating that history not only needs the Absolute but a living God as well, his thoughts about history would not have led him into unrealistic speculation, but to the ultimate reality itself.The philosophy of history originated from the debate between the mind, conscious of itself since Descartes, and tradition, especially religion. Spinoza was a vehement advocate of a sensible concept of God. According to Schelling, Lessing and Herder agreed with him. Kant's critique replaced this concept of God with a critical concept which allows freedom to be conceivable in history. Schelling goes beyond Kant in conceiving of a God who reveals Himself as an enablement of history, as a realization of freedom. The dispute with religious tradition does not lead to an elimination of the concept of God but instead to a deeper understanding of Him.