The general characteristics of German classical philosophy these days are studied in great detail, because this is a unique phenomenon in world culture. It is classical German philosophy that is the basis of modern philosophy. Over the century of its existence, she managed not only to study in detail the problems that tormented mankind for many centuries, but also to combine practically all the currents that existed at that time, from subjective idealism to irrationalism and vulgar materialism. The general characteristic of German classical philosophy is based on such world-famous names as Kant, Marx, Hegel, Fichte, Nietzsche, Schopenhauer, Engels and others.
I. Kant (1724-1804) - the founder of German classical philosophy. He proposed a revolutionary explanation of the origin of the solar system, based on Newtonian laws (from discharged particles of matter rotating in the form of a nebula). In addition, he belongs to the theory of the existence of the limits of
cognitive ability, as well as the unwillingness of a person to comprehend the inner essence of phenomena and things. Kant also advanced the doctrine of categories and formulated a moral law. Among other things, it was he who first suggested the “eternal peace” in the future, which will be based on the economic inexpediency of wars and their legal prohibition. Immanuel Kant is the name without which the general characterization of German
classical philosophy would not have been possible.
Another philosopher, Georg Hegel, helped substantiate the concept of
objective idealism, which was extremely widespread in a number of Western states. He succeeded thanks to the teachings about the
absolute idea (the root cause of all things, our material world, which is independent of consciousness). Hegel was the one who for the first time identified identities and being.
However, the development of dialectics - the doctrine of the basic principles and laws of universal development, became the real crown of his activity.
Complemented the ideas of Hegel Johann Fichte (1762-1814). In his opinion, the only and basic reality for a person is he, his thoughts and feelings.
The ideas and theories of these three philosophers were subsequently repeatedly supplemented and improved by other people, and the general characteristics of German classical philosophy changed.
For example, L. Feuerbach (1804-1872), whose works were already in a later period, criticized idealism and sought to depict a consistent and integral materialistic picture of the world. Feuerbach was an ardent atheist, and therefore sought to prove the artificiality of God and the transfer to his image of unrealized human ideals.
The characteristic of German classical philosophy is primarily the dominance of an idealistic position. That is why the philosophers of the New Age for the most part emphasize the subject, not the object. Another important feature of philosophical teachings was pantheism - the rejection of the image of God as a separate person, similar to man, and the identification of God with the whole Universe, faith in the unity of all life and the sanctity of nature.
German classical philosophy, the general characterization of which has become the topic of our discussion today, is the most powerful foundation on which all modern philosophical teachings are based.