SOURCE: "'Wissenschafslehre' in Its Earlier Form," in Fichte, William Blackwood and Sons, 1881, pp. 125-88.

Adamson's work constituted the earliest substantial study of Fichte in English. The first half of his book covers Fichte's biography, and the second, his philosophies. The chapter excerpted below offers an explanation of the Wissenschaftslehre as it appears in Fichte's earlier writings. Beginning with Fichte's influences, Adamson describes Fichte as "Spinoza in terms of Kant."

The general aim or spirit of the Wissenschaftslehre having been determined, it becomes necessary to consider more particularly the nature of the problems presenting themselves for solution, and the method by which they are to be treated. As regards both points, the most valuable writings are the two "Introductions to Wissenschaftslehre," and the "Sonnenklarer Bericht."¹

1.—dogmatism and Idealism.

The slightest reflection discloses to us the remarkable distinction in consciousness between two orders of representations² or phenomena, which we call...