The twenty-five years of philosophy : a systematic reconstruction /

Kant maintained that philosophy finally had begun with his Critique of Pure Reason in 1781. In 1806, Hegel claimed that philosophy was now completed. Therefore, philosophy existed for only 25 years. In this masterful book, Forster (Johns Hopkins) examines the conceptions of philosophy held by Kant and Hegel that required them to make such seemingly extravagant pronouncements. Forster argues that, astonishingly, they were correct. To do this, he provides synthetic and critical examinations of not only the crucial texts and arguments of Kant and Hegel but also those of Spinoza, Jacobi, Fichte, Goethe, Herder, and Schelling. Forster's command of the historical sources is most impressive. Moreover, this book is clearly written, and Bowman's translation is commendable. Scholars and graduate students will welcome this masterpiece, which is also accessible to upper-level undergraduates. Summing Up: Essential. Advanced undergraduates through researchers/faculty; general readers. J. M. Fritzman Lewis & Clark College