Die Philosophie des deutschen Idealismus
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Die Philosophie des deutschen Idealismus (The Philosophy of German Idealism) is a significant work by Nicolai Hartmann, published in two volumes between 1923 and 1929. This work marked a departure from Neo-Kantian views, as Hartmann began to reject the idea that the mind constructs reality. Instead, he proposed that ontology, the study of being, is a prerequisite for epistemology, the study of knowledge.1
Hartmann argued that human categories of thought are not identical to the objective categories of reality. Due to limitations and the influence of irrational will, humans can only achieve a partial understanding of the world. He believed that reality, while orderly, is ultimately meaningless, placing the burden on humanity to create meaning in an alien world. This philosophical stance emerged in contrast to the Enlightenment's skepticism and aimed to re-establish reason's role in understanding reality.123
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