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Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph von Schelling
(1775-1854)
Often referred to as the Proteus among philosophers, Schelling was
noted for his ever-changing alertness and brightness of mind and
expression. Goethe had a very high regard for him, and spoke of him
as "the most congenial philosopher I know." Schelling had a profound
influence among the thinkers of his time, including philosophers of
France and England. His last years were dedicated to what he termed
"positive philosophy," radically different from the philosophy of
identity, the transcendental idealism, and the pantheistic tendencies
of his earlier time. Rudolf Steiner made extensive reference to
Schelling in his writings and lectures, on various occasions praising
that philosopher's "important inspirations and suggestions for what
must afterwards be said by Anthroposophy, directly out of spiritual
vision, on many points of Christianity." Steiner further spoke of
Schelling, who really always made a significant impression whenever he
appeared in public, the short, thick-set man, with the extremely
impressive head, and eyes which even in extreme old age were sparkling
with fire, for from his eyes there spoke the fire of Truth, the fire of
Knowledge." (From a lecture given at Dornach, Switzerland, Sept. 16, 1924)
Perhaps Steiner's greatest study of Schelling is to be found in his
Die Ratsel der Philosophie,
The Riddles of Philosophy, Vol. I, Ch. 7.
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