The Closed Commercial State (Suny Series in Contemporary Continental Philosophy)

ISBN: 1438440200

Author: Fichte, J. G.

Condition: New

Critical scholarly edition of J. G. Fichtes Closed Commercial State. Appearing for the first time in a complete English translation, The Closed Commercial State represents the most sustained attempt of J. G. Fichte, the famed author of The Doctrine of Science, to apply idealistic philosophy to political economy. In the accompanying interpretive essay, Anthony Curtis Adler challenges the conventional scholarly view of The Closed Commercial State as a curious footnote to Fichtes thought. The Closed Commercial State, which Fichte himself regarded as his best, most thought-through work, not only attests to a life-long interest in economics, but is of critical importance to his entire philosophical project. Carefully unpacking the philosophical nuances of Fichtes argument and its complex relationship to other texts in his oeuvre, Adler argues that The Closed Commercial State presents an understanding of the nature of history, and the relation of history to politics, that differs significantly from the teleological notions of history advanced by Schelling and later Hegel. This critical scholarly edition includes a German-English glossary, annotations, and page references to both major German editions. Adlers remarkable interpretive essay makes a substantial and original contribution to Fichte studies in its own right. It should be required reading for everyone working on Fichtes philosophy. - Daniel Breazeale, University of Kentucky