Brady Bowman | Penn State University (original) (raw)

Books by Brady Bowman

Ihre an die Elemente des Euklid angelehnte ‚geometrische' Darstellungsform der Ethik des Spinoza ... more Ihre an die Elemente des Euklid angelehnte ‚geometrische' Darstellungsform der Ethik des Spinoza ist eines ihrer auffälligsten Charakteristika. Über die Angemessenheit des mos geometricus als methodologisches Leitbild für die Philosophie ist viel gestritten worden. Christian Wolff und seine Schüler beherzigten ihn als die einzig mögliche Form, um ‚vernünftige Gedanken' als solche kenntlich zu machen. Mit Kant setzte ein Umdenken ein: Die philosophische Erkenntnisweise sei von der mathematischen grundverschieden; folglich könnten mathematische Verfahren zur Definition, Konstruktion, Entdeckung und zum Beweis in der Philosophie nicht angewendet werden und die ‚geometrische' Einkleidung philosophischer Gedanken würde diese bestenfalls verunstalten und verunklären.¹ In der modernen Spinoza-Forschung hat ein analoger Streit stattgefunden.² Auf der einen Seite stehen diejenigen, die mit Wolfson die geometrische Ordnung der Ethik als eine äußere Einkleidung betrachten, die in keiner wesentlichen Beziehung zum Inhalt steht. Auf der anderen Seite stehen Forscher wie Gueroult, die die Einheit von geometrischer Form und metaphysischem Inhalt behaupten und es sogar als notwendig für die Metaphysik erachten, sich die geometrische Methode als das "unhinterfragbare Leitbild aller Wesenserkenntnis" (Gueroult 1968, 425) anzueignen.

Papers by Brady Bowman

In his third and concluding volume, Lloyd P. Gerson presents an innovative account of Platonism, ... more In his third and concluding volume, Lloyd P. Gerson presents an innovative account of Platonism, the central tradition in the history of philosophy, in conjunction with Naturalism, the "anti-Platonism" in antiquity and contemporary philosophy. In this broad and sweeping argument, Gerson contends that Platonism identifies philosophy with a distinct subject matter, namely, the intelligible world and seeks to show that the Naturalist rejection of Platonism entails the elimination of a distinct subject matter for philosophy. Thus, the possibility of philosophy depends on the truth of Platonism. From Aristotle to Plotinus to Proclus, Gerson clearly links the construction of the Platonic system well beyond simply Plato's dialogues, providing strong evidence of the vast impact of Platonism on philosophy throughout history. Platonism and Naturalism concludes that attempts to seek rapprochement between Platonism and Naturalism are unstable and likely indefensible.

Introduction Heidelberg writings: journal publications: Review, Friedrich Heinrich Jacobi's W... more Introduction Heidelberg writings: journal publications: Review, Friedrich Heinrich Jacobi's Works, Volume 3 Review, Proceedings of the Estates Assembly of the Kingdom of Wurttemberg, 1815-16 Appendix: excerpts from letters by Hegel, Jacobi and Jean Paul concerning Hegel's review of Jacobi's works Additional readings.

Journal of the History of Philosophy, 2018

Hegel's Science of Logic weds a deduction of (broadly Kantian) categories with a vindication of u... more Hegel's Science of Logic weds a deduction of (broadly Kantian) categories with a vindication of unconditional self-determination. Motivating his project is the challenge of nihilism implicit in Spinoza's rationalism-cum-naturalism. Section one of this paper examines Spinozist 'substance' and Hegel's revision of the principle omnis determinatio est negatio. Section two analyzes the concept 'being-for-self' in relation to Kantian apperception and the Hegelian idea of sublation. Section three presents a novel view of Hegel's infamous identification of being and nothing at the opening of the Logic. The notions of unconditional self-determination, original synthetic unity, and absolute negativity are shown to govern Hegel's dual reception of Spinoza and Kant.

Hegel Jahrbuch, 2019

<jats:p />

Deutsches Jahrbuch Philosophie, 2014

Oxford Handbooks Online, 2017

Hegel’s project in the Science of Logic is to generate a demonstrably complete list of categories... more Hegel’s project in the Science of Logic is to generate a demonstrably complete list of categories and forms of thought while arguing that these are products of thought’s own self-determining (autonomous) activity. The chapter offers a compact introduction to the work’s first section, ‘Quality (Determinateness),’ without assuming prior knowledge. Key background sources in Kant (the table of categories, the table of nothing, the transcendental ideal) and Spinoza (monism, nihilism, and the principle omnis determinatio est negatio) are discussed in order to cast light on the specifics of Hegel’s approach. Analysis focuses on the main stations of Hegel’s exposition: the opening dialectic of being–nothing–becoming, the relation of the finite to ‘bad infinity’ and the ‘true infinite’, the concept of being-for-self in its relation to self-consciousness (apperception), and the transition from quality to quantity. The final section draws conclusions about the nature of Hegelian ‘idealism’ and...

Hegel and the Metaphysics of Absolute Negativity

Begriff und Interpretation im Zeichen der Moderne, 2015

Hegel and the Metaphysics of Absolute Negativity

Zur systematischen Vorgeschichte eines Problems des deutschen Idealismus, 2003

Hegel's doctrines of absolute negativity and 'the Concept' are among his most origina... more Hegel's doctrines of absolute negativity and 'the Concept' are among his most original contributions to philosophy and they constitute the systematic core of dialectical thought. Brady Bowman explores the interrelations between these doctrines, their implications for Hegel's critical understanding of classical logic and ontology, natural science and mathematics as forms of 'finite cognition', and their role in developing a positive, 'speculative' account of consciousness and its place in nature. As a means to this end, Bowman also re-examines Hegel's relations to Kant and pre-Kantian rationalism, and to key post-Kantian figures such as Jacobi, Fichte and Schelling. His book draws from the breadth of Hegel's writings to affirm a robustly metaphysical reading of the Hegelian project, and will be of great interest to students of Hegel and of German Idealism more generally.

Journal of the History of Philosophy, 2018

Hegel Jahrbuch, 2019

<jats:p />

Deutsches Jahrbuch Philosophie, 2014

Oxford Handbooks Online, 2017

Hegel and the Metaphysics of Absolute Negativity

Begriff und Interpretation im Zeichen der Moderne, 2015

Hegel and the Metaphysics of Absolute Negativity

Zur systematischen Vorgeschichte eines Problems des deutschen Idealismus, 2003

Journal of the History of Philosophy, 2012

In all phases of his career, Hegel makes reference to the Eleusinian Mysteries, most prominently ... more In all phases of his career, Hegel makes reference to the Eleusinian Mysteries, most prominently in the unpublished early poem "Eleusis: To Hölderlin" and again in the Phenomenology's opening section, "Sense Certainty." This paper demonstrates the link in Hegel's thought between the Eleusis motif and his critical interpretation of Spinozism as a form of pantheism. Attention to this link leads opens a new perspective on the opening arguments of the Phenomenology and their place in the work as a whole. I argue that the influential approach to "Sense Certainty" in terms of singular demonstrative reference must be revised to accommodate Hegel's metaphysical premises.

Journal of the History of Philosophy, 2009

dependent upon the moral law as a law of autonomy. Kneller must oppose this view because she take... more dependent upon the moral law as a law of autonomy. Kneller must oppose this view because she takes the third Critique to imply that there is no account of the unity of theoretical and practical reason. There is only, instead, a mediated connection in the exercise of the power of judgment, through its free play of the imagination and associated feelings. O’Neill and Korsgaard have produced “powerful and influential” theories, as Kneller herself notes (15). She also admits that the readings of Kant behind these theories pose the “largest challenge” to her own reading (ibid.). It would have been good to see, then, more purely philosophical engagement of these theories, and more vigor in blocking the possibility of the alternative readings behind them. For example, Kneller accuses O’Neill of tending “to neglect Kant’s own characterization of the third . . . Critique as ‘mediating the connection of the two parts of philosophy to [form] a whole’, i.e. that of finding a mediating principle to negotiate and harmonize, not under which to subsume, the two capacities of reason” (76). Though it may suggest it, I do not see that the embedded quote from Kant (or even Kneller’s own gloss on it) implies that the one capacity cannot be ultimately subsumed by the other. O’Neill, Korsgaard, and others opposed by Kneller can of course take care of themselves; I only mean to indicate some topics likely to stir up critical engagement of this bold and stimulating book. D a n i e l G u e v a r a University of California, Santa Cruz

Friedrich Heinrich Jacobi. Ein Wendepunkt der …, 2004

Der vorliegende Sammelband ist aus der im Mai 2002 an der Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena ver... more Der vorliegende Sammelband ist aus der im Mai 2002 an der Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena veranstalteten Tagung Wissen und Begründung: Die Skeptizismus-Debatte um 1800 im Kontext neuzeitlicher Wissenskonzeptionen" hervorgegangen. Diese wissenschaftliche ...

World Soul, 2021

Post-Kantian philosophers historicize the world soul, reconceiving it as an implicitly rational, ... more Post-Kantian philosophers historicize the world soul, reconceiving it as an implicitly rational, progressive, yet impersonal agency, at work throughout nature as a formative principle, more especially, however, in the progressive liberation and self-determination of spirit in human history. This chapter outlines the concept’s career in the thought of Kant, Maimon, Schelling, and Hegel, focusing especially on the overlapping functions they accord to the world soul. On the one side, it serves to mediate within nature between the opposing spheres of mechanism and organic life; on the other, between those of unconscious currents of historical development and self-consciously free human action. In thus tasking the world soul with mediating between nature and the history of human freedom, German idealists are faithful to their Platonic source of inspiration, even as they refashion the concept in a distinctively modern, post-Enlightenment spirit.

Lloyd Gerson's latest book issues a challenge to contemporary philosophers to rethink the nature ... more Lloyd Gerson's latest book issues a challenge to contemporary philosophers to rethink the nature of their vocation, its problems, presuppositions, and ends. Gerson

The Journal of Speculative Philosophy, 2008

Publikationsansicht. 41895885. Identity and Difference. Studies in Hegel's Logic, Philosophy... more Publikationsansicht. 41895885. Identity and Difference. Studies in Hegel's Logic, Philosophy of Spirit, and Politics (review) (2009). Brady Bowman. Abstract. The Journal of Speculative Philosophy - Volume 22, Number 3, 2008 (New Series). Details der Publikation. ...

Journal of The History of Philosophy, 2009

In The Ages of the World Schelling elaborates an alternative to Spinoza's philosophical theology ... more In The Ages of the World Schelling elaborates an alternative to Spinoza's philosophical theology that is free of the ambiguity that marked his earlier efforts in this direction. His advance rests on the superior rigor of his revised ontology of " potencies, " detailed in the paper's first half. Comparison with Goethe's derivation of three primary colors reveals how Schelling deploys a polarity of " affirmative " and " negative " powers to derive his third basic potency, rather than merely " postulating " it as he had previously done. As the paper's second half explains, Schelling thereby gains room to distinguish God's actual, dynamically constituted essence from its non-causal, axiological condition of possibility. On this basis he elaborates a conception linking natural vitality, value realism, moral freedom, and (divine) creativity – elements lacking in Spinoza. The result is a persuasive reinterpretation of two key Spinozist notions: divine self-creation (causa sui) and the identification of God's power with his essence. Mit dem Weltalter-Projekt stellt Schelling zur philosophischen Theologie Spinozas eine Alternative vor, die nicht mehr von der Zweideutigkeit seiner früheren diesbezüglichen Ansätze beeinträchtigt wird. Der Fortschritt beruht auf der erhöhten deduktiven Stringenz seiner inzwischen revidierten Potenzenlehre. Diese rekonstruiert der vorliegende Aufsatz im ersten Schritt. Aus dem Vergleich mit Goethes Vorgehen bei der Ableitung von drei Primärfarben wird deutlich, wie es Schelling im Gegensatz zu seinen vorangegangenen Entwürfen nunmehr gelingt, eine dritte " Urmacht " auf der Grundlage zweier polar entgegengesetzter Kräfte (Bejahung und Verneinung) vollgültig abzuleiten, anstatt sie bloß zu postulieren. In einem zweiten Schritt wird argumentiert, dass sich Schelling eben dadurch in die Lage versetzt, das wirkliche, dynamisch konstituierte Wesen Gottes von dessen nicht-kausal verfasster, axiologischer Bedingung der