PHIL 367 Lecture : PHIL 367 - Lecture (Feb. 1st)
1 Feb 2012
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Fichte wanted his philosophy to be a part of public culture, and to be manifested in the state. Fichte and co. (humboldt, schiller) applauded modernization and technology a la. England/scotland, but were worried that it signalled a moral blight. Saw specialization and division of labour would result in alienation. Also feared that modernity comes with an increase in selfishness and wider acceptance of utilitarian values. Saw modernity as sadly different than ancient greek civilizations, which was regarded as an harmonious society. Therefore, many philosophers sought to re-create the societal conditions of ancient greece, whereby social, political, civic and working life were in harmonious co-existence. This also meant that individual interest would be subservient to state interest, but believed that this would lead to an increase in individual freedom. The antidote to modernity"s bad side-effects of fragmentation would be the philosophy of freedom. In letter vi, schiller blames contemporary culture for societal fragmentation.
