Horst Schröpfer: Kants Weg in die Öffentlichkeit

This work acknowledges the groundbreaking achievement of C. G. Schütz (1747–1832) for the reception of critical philosophy during his time in Jena (1779–1803) where he worked as a reader, co-editor of the ›Allgemeinen Literatur-Zeitung‹ and wrote reviews on Kant’s fundamental works. He had already been a full professor of philosophy at the University of Halle and as part of a circle of young scholars, such as for example Ludwig Martin Träger, had become familiar with Kant‘s pre-critical work. The publication of Kant’s ›Kritik der reinen Vernunft‹ (Critique of Pure Reason) prompted Schütz not only to study the complete critical works of the philosopher from 1782 on but also to begin with specific activities to promote Kantian criticism starting in 1784/ 85. These activities included the acquisition of Kant as a reviewer, reviewing Kant’s work in the ›Allgemeinen Literatur-Zeitung‹ and writing a study manual on the basis of Kant’s intentions. In doing so, Schütz ushered in the national acceptance of Kant’s philosophy and promoted the rise of the University of Jena at the end of the 18th century. Without him, the history of philosophy would possibly have taken a completely different course.