“Fichte teaches the mystery of experimenting”

the science of knowledge as magical idealism in Friedrich von Hardenberg (Novalis)

Abstract

 Friedrich von Hardenberg (Novalis) (1772-1801)’s philosophical work displays many different philosophical influences, such as Plotinus, Schiller, Kant, and Leibniz. The most famous influence, however, is Johann Gottlieb Fichte (1762-1814). Throughout the 1790s, one can notice the displacement of Fichtean conceptions to Hardenberg’s thoughts and interests, whether professional (mineralogy), mystical (theosophy, Neoplatonism), or artistic (poetry). In previous research, we have observed a peculiar presence of Fichte in Novalis’ late writings, particularly in his work The General Draft, from 1797 to 1798. This has accompanied a displacement of Fichtean ideas to fields such as magic. Even though the influence of Plotinus leads Hardenberg to distance himself from Fichte, his interest in him is still expressive, in such a way that the science of knowledge becomes a tool in forming an encyclopedia. Thus, we aim to investigate which senses the science of knowledge acquired in Hardenberg’s “late”: magic and encyclopedia.