Overview

Owen Ware here develops and defends a novel interpretation of Fichte's moral philosophy as an ethics of wholeness. While virtually forgotten for most of the twentieth century, Fichte's System of Ethics (1798) is now recognized by scholars as a masterpiece in the history of post-Kantian philosophy, as well as a key text for understanding the work of later German idealist thinkers. This book provides a careful examination of the intellectual context in which Fichte's moral philosophy evolved, and of the specific arguments he offers in response to Kant and his immediate successors. A distinctive feature of this study is a focus on the foundational concepts of Fichte's ethics--freedom, morality, feeling, conscience, community--and their connection to his innovative but largely misunderstood theory of drives. By way of conclusion, the book shows that what appears to be two conflicting commitments in Fichte's ethics--a commitment to the feelings of one's conscience and a commitment to engage in open dialogue with others--are two aspects of his theory of moral perfection. The result is a sharp understanding of Fichte's System of Ethics as offering a compelling resolution to the personal and interpersonal dimensions of moral life

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9780190086596

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Reviews

Fichte's Moral Philosophy is a major contribution not just to Fichte scholarship but to normative ethical theory as such. Specialists will be impressed by Ware's meticulous scholarship and familiarity with all the relevant primary and secondary literature, as well as by his judicious engagement with (as well as anticipation of) opposing interpretations of Fichte's moral philosophy...It is a rare pleasure to encounter a treatise as well written, carefully argued, and broadly informed as this landmark contribution to both Fichte studies and ethical theory. * Daniel Breazeale, University of Kentucky, Ethics * Owen Ware's book...is a first-class contribution to the Fichte scholarship...It will be a staple of the conversation on Fichte for years to come. * Rory Lawrence Phillips, University College London, Philosophy * This is simply an exceptional book, clearly written and argued and a delight to read. It is required reading for anyone interested in German Idealism or in normative ethics in general. * Jeffery Kinlaw, McMurry University, Review of Metaphysics * Ware has opened a line of interpretation that presents a less austere Fichte, a Fichte for whom we are fully embodied and situated in a world. The ethics of wholeness Ware emphasizes will be congenial to many contemporary philosophers. Fichte's Moral Philosophy should become a key text in coming years, and I look forward to seeing how Fichte scholarship builds upon this work. * Jane Dryden, Mount Allison University, Symposium *

Ware has opened a line of interpretation that presents a less austere Fichte, a Fichte for whom we are fully embodied and situated in a world. The ethics of wholeness Ware emphasizes will be congenial to many contemporary philosophers. Fichte's Moral Philosophy should become a key text in coming years, and I look forward to seeing how Fichte scholarship builds upon this work. * Jane Dryden, Symposium *

Ware has opened a line of interpretation that presents a less austere Fichte, a Fichte for whom we are fully embodied and situated in a world. The ethics of wholeness Ware emphasizes will be congenial to many contemporary philosophers. Fichte's Moral Philosophy should become a key text in coming years, and I look forward to seeing how Fichte scholarship builds upon this work. * Jane Dryden, Symposium * Fichte's Moral Philosophy is a major contribution not just to Fichte scholarship but to normative ethical theory as such. Specialists will be impressed by Ware's meticulous scholarship and familiarity with all the relevant primary and secondary literature, as well as by his judicious engagement with (as well as anticipation of) opposing interpretations of Fichte's moral philosophy...It is a rare pleasure to encounter a treatise as well written, carefully argued, and broadly informed as this landmark contribution to both Fichte studies and ethical theory. * Daniel Breazeale, University of Kentucky, Ethics * Owen Ware's book...is a first-class contribution to the Fichte scholarship...It will be a staple of the conversation on Fichte for years to come. * Rory Lawrence Phillips, University College London, Philosophy * This is simply an exceptional book, clearly written and argued and a delight to read. It is required reading for anyone interested in German Idealism or in normative ethics in general. * Jeffery Kinlaw, McMurry University, Review of Metaphysics * Ware has opened a line of interpretation that presents a less austere Fichte, a Fichte for whom we are fully embodied and situated in a world. The ethics of wholeness Ware emphasizes will be congenial to many contemporary philosophers. Fichte's Moral Philosophy should become a key text in coming years, and I look forward to seeing how Fichte scholarship builds upon this work. * Jane Dryden, Mount Allison University, Symposium *

Author Information

Owen Ware is Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto. He has published extensively on Kant and post-Kantian philosophy, with a focus on questions of freedom, morality, and normativity. He is the author of Kant's Justification of Ethics, forthcoming from Oxford University Press.

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