Difference between revisions of "Christian August Crusius" - New World Encyclopedia
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| − | '''Christian August Crusius''' | + | '''Christian August Crusius''' was a German philosopher and theology|theologian. He enjoyed a considerable reputation in Germany during the 1750's and 1760's, standing out in stark opposition to the then-dominant [[rationalism|rationalist]] Leibniz-Wolffian philosophy. |
| − | + | ==Life== | |
| + | Christian August Crusius was born at Leuna near in Saxony on January 10, 1715. His father was a pastor, and Crusius was interested in theology from an early age. Crusius' education, at the University of Leipzig, was deeply influenced by his teacher Adolf Friedrich Hoffmann, a follower of the philosopher and theologian [[Thomasius|Chrisian Thomasius]]. Hoffmann was a staunch opponent to the hyper-rationalist [[Wolff]], and his sympathy for [[Pietism]] and his emphasis on the limitations of pure reason and the importance of contingent psychological principles became central aspects of Crusius' work. Crusius stayed at Leipzig as a professor, first as a professor of philosophy and later as a professor theology. His most important works appeared in the 1740's: ''Advice for a Rational Life'' (1744), ''Sketch of the Necessary Truths of Reason'' (1745), and ''The Way to the Certainty and Dependability of Human Knowledge'' (1747). He died in 1775. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Philosophy== | ||
Crusius first came to notice as an opponent of the philosophy of [[Gottfried Leibniz]] and [[Christian Wolff (philosopher)|Christian Wolff]] from the standpoint of religious orthodoxy. He attacked it mainly on the grounds of the [[moral]] evils that must flow from any system of [[determinism]], and attempted to vindicate the freedom of the will. The most important works of this period of his life are ''Entwurf der nothwendigen Vernunftwahrheiten'' (1745), and ''Weg zur Gewissheit und Zuverlässigkeit der menschlichen Erkenntniss'' (1747). Though rambling, and lacking originality, Crusius' philosophical books had a great but shortlived popularity. His criticism of Wolff influenced [[Immanuel Kant]] at the time when his system was forming; and his ethical doctrines "are mentioned" with respect in the ''Kritik of Practical Reason''. | Crusius first came to notice as an opponent of the philosophy of [[Gottfried Leibniz]] and [[Christian Wolff (philosopher)|Christian Wolff]] from the standpoint of religious orthodoxy. He attacked it mainly on the grounds of the [[moral]] evils that must flow from any system of [[determinism]], and attempted to vindicate the freedom of the will. The most important works of this period of his life are ''Entwurf der nothwendigen Vernunftwahrheiten'' (1745), and ''Weg zur Gewissheit und Zuverlässigkeit der menschlichen Erkenntniss'' (1747). Though rambling, and lacking originality, Crusius' philosophical books had a great but shortlived popularity. His criticism of Wolff influenced [[Immanuel Kant]] at the time when his system was forming; and his ethical doctrines "are mentioned" with respect in the ''Kritik of Practical Reason''. | ||
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There is a full notice of Crusius in Ersch and Gruber's ''Allgemeine Encyclopädie''. See also [[Johann Eduard Erdmann|JE Erdmann]]'s ''History of Philosophy''; [[A. Marquardt]], ''Kant und Crusius''; and article in Herzog-Hauck, ''Realencyklopädie'' (1898). | There is a full notice of Crusius in Ersch and Gruber's ''Allgemeine Encyclopädie''. See also [[Johann Eduard Erdmann|JE Erdmann]]'s ''History of Philosophy''; [[A. Marquardt]], ''Kant und Crusius''; and article in Herzog-Hauck, ''Realencyklopädie'' (1898). | ||
| − | ==References== | + | ==References and Further Reading== |
| − | * | + | |
| − | + | * Beck, Lewis White. (1969, reprinted 1996) ''Early German Philosophy: Kant and his Predecessors''. Bristol: Thoemmes Press. | |
| + | * Seidler, Michael J. (1998). "Crusius, Christian August" in E. Craig (ed.), Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy. London: Routledge. Retrieved March 21, 2007, from http://www.rep.routledge.com/article/DB020 | ||
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Revision as of 01:02, 21 March 2007
Christian August Crusius was a German philosopher and theology|theologian. He enjoyed a considerable reputation in Germany during the 1750's and 1760's, standing out in stark opposition to the then-dominant rationalist Leibniz-Wolffian philosophy.
Life
Christian August Crusius was born at Leuna near in Saxony on January 10, 1715. His father was a pastor, and Crusius was interested in theology from an early age. Crusius' education, at the University of Leipzig, was deeply influenced by his teacher Adolf Friedrich Hoffmann, a follower of the philosopher and theologian Chrisian Thomasius. Hoffmann was a staunch opponent to the hyper-rationalist Wolff, and his sympathy for Pietism and his emphasis on the limitations of pure reason and the importance of contingent psychological principles became central aspects of Crusius' work. Crusius stayed at Leipzig as a professor, first as a professor of philosophy and later as a professor theology. His most important works appeared in the 1740's: Advice for a Rational Life (1744), Sketch of the Necessary Truths of Reason (1745), and The Way to the Certainty and Dependability of Human Knowledge (1747). He died in 1775.
Philosophy
Crusius first came to notice as an opponent of the philosophy of Gottfried Leibniz and Christian Wolff from the standpoint of religious orthodoxy. He attacked it mainly on the grounds of the moral evils that must flow from any system of determinism, and attempted to vindicate the freedom of the will. The most important works of this period of his life are Entwurf der nothwendigen Vernunftwahrheiten (1745), and Weg zur Gewissheit und Zuverlässigkeit der menschlichen Erkenntniss (1747). Though rambling, and lacking originality, Crusius' philosophical books had a great but shortlived popularity. His criticism of Wolff influenced Immanuel Kant at the time when his system was forming; and his ethical doctrines "are mentioned" with respect in the Kritik of Practical Reason.
Crusius's later life was devoted to theology. He led the party in the university which became known as the "Crusianer" as opposed to the "Ernestianer," the followers of JA Ernesti. The two professors adopted opposite methods of exegesis. Ernesti wished to subject the Scripture in the same way as other ancient books; Crusius held firmly to orthodox ecclesiastical tradition.
Crusius's chief theological works are Hypomnemata ad theologiam propheticam (1764-1778), and Kurzer Entwurf den Moraltheologie (1772-1773). He sets his face against innovation in such matters as the accepted authorship of canonical writings, verbal inspiration, and the treatment of persons and events in the Old Testament as types of the New. His views have influenced later evangelical students of the Old Testament, such as EW Hengstenberg and F. Deutzsch.
There is a full notice of Crusius in Ersch and Gruber's Allgemeine Encyclopädie. See also JE Erdmann's History of Philosophy; A. Marquardt, Kant und Crusius; and article in Herzog-Hauck, Realencyklopädie (1898).
References and Further Reading
- Beck, Lewis White. (1969, reprinted 1996) Early German Philosophy: Kant and his Predecessors. Bristol: Thoemmes Press.
- Seidler, Michael J. (1998). "Crusius, Christian August" in E. Craig (ed.), Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy. London: Routledge. Retrieved March 21, 2007, from http://www.rep.routledge.com/article/DB020
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