From Nicolas of Cusa to the Present Time

by

RICHARD FALCKENBERG

Professor of Philosophy in the University of Erlangen

THIRD AMERICAN FROM THE SECOND GERMAN EDITION

Translated with the author’s sanction by
A.C.  Armstrong, Jr.
Professor of Philosophy in Wesleyan University

1893

TRANSLATOR’S PREFACE.

The aim of this translation is the same as that of the original work.  Each is the outcome of experience in university instruction in philosophy, and is intended to furnish a manual which shall be at once scientific and popular, one to stand midway between the exhaustive expositions of the larger histories and the meager sketches of the compendiums.  A pupil of Kuno Fischer, Fortlage, J.E.  Erdmann, Lotze, and Eucken among others, Professor Falckenberg began his career as Docent in the university of Jena.  In the year following the first edition of this work he became Extraordinarius in the same university, and in 1888 Ordinarius at Erlangen, choosing the latter call in preference to an invitation to Dorpat as successor to Teichmueller.  The chair at Erlangen he still holds.  His work as teacher and author has been chiefly in the history of modern philosophy.  Besides the present work and numerous minor articles, he has published the following:  Ueber den intelligiblen Charakter, zur Kritik der Kantischen Freiheitslehre 1879; Grundzuege der Philosophie des Nicolaus Cusanus, 1880-81; and Ueber die gegenwaertige Lage der deutschen Philosophie, 1890 (inaugural address at Erlangen).  Since 1884-5 Professor Falckenberg has also been an editor of the Zeitschrift fuer Philosophie und philosophische Kritik, until 1888 in association with Krohn, and after the latter’s death, alone.  At present he has in hand a treatise on Lotze for a German series analogous to Blackwood’s Philosophical Classics, which is to be issued under his direction.  Professor Falckenberg’s general philosophical position may be described as that of moderate idealism.  His historical method is strictly objective, the aim being a free reproduction of the systems discussed, as far as possible in their original terminology and historical connection, and without the intrusion of personal criticism.

The translation has been made from the second German edition (1892), with still later additions and corrections communicated by the author in manuscript.  The translator has followed the original faithfully but not slavishly.  He has not felt free to modify Professor Falckenberg’s expositions, even in the rare cases where his own opinions would have led him to dissent, but minor changes have been made wherever needed to fit the book for the use of English-speaking