Individuality, Freedom and Socialism: The British Idealists' Critiques of the Fichtean State

Together with utilitarianism, British idealism dominated Anglo-American philosophy from the 1870s until the end of the First World War. This article counters a persisting criticism of the British idealists: that they endorsed the allegedly oppressive and static theory of the state associated with Ge...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Political studies 2015-06, Vol.63 (2), p.319-335
Main Author: Tyler, Colin
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bosanquet, Bernard
British idealism
Criticism
Fichte
Freedom
Germany
Great Britain
Idealism
Individuality
Intellectuals
Philosophy
Political science theories
recognition
Reputation
Socialism
Terminology
U.S.A
United Kingdom
Utilitarianism
Wallace, William
World War I
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Summary:Together with utilitarianism, British idealism dominated Anglo-American philosophy from the 1870s until the end of the First World War. This article counters a persisting criticism of the British idealists: that they endorsed the allegedly oppressive and static theory of the state associated with German idealists, especially J. G. Fichte. The article introduces the British idealists' reputation as Fichtean collectivists and provides an overview of leading current interpretations of Fichte's political thought. It then analyses T. H. Green's use of Fichtean terminology against the background of Fichte's reception in Britain in the 1860s and 1870s. Edward Caird's interpretation of — and alternative to — Fichte's socialism is analysed, followed by an examination of the readings of William Wallace and Bernard Bosanquet. It is concluded that these British idealists rejected the alleged Fichtean centralism for which they have been condemned, and did so on grounds that retain force in contemporary debates between Fichte scholars.
ISSN:0032-3217
1467-9248
DOI:10.1111/1467-9248.12108