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Language and
German Idealism:
Fichte's Linguistic
Philosophy
Jere Paul Surber
HUMANITIES PRESS
NEW JERSEY
Language and
German Idealism:
Fichte's Linguistic
Philosophy
Jere Paul Surber
HUMANITIES PRESS
NEW JERSEY
Contents
First published 1996 by Humanities Press International, Inc.,
Preface
IX
165 First Avenue, Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey 07716.
Interpretive Essay
© 1996 by Jere Paul Surber
Introduction 3
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Professor Fichte at Jena and His "Strange" New Essay 9
Surber, Jere Paul.
A. Fichte's Jena Audience: The Common Origins of Idealism and
Language and German idealism : Fichte's linguistic philosophy I
Romanticism
Jere Paul Surber.
B. The Reception of the Essay and Its Intellectual Challenge
p. cm.
C. The "Strange" Tide of Fichte's Essay: Empiricist and Rationalist Issues
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Once More?
ISBN 0- 391-03935-0
D. A Contemporary Reader: Friedrich Karl Forberg
1. Fichte, Johann Gottlieb, 1762- 1814- Contributions in philosophy of
language and languages. 2. Language and languages- Philosophy- History-I 8th 2 "Placing" Fichte's Essay on Language: Systematic and
century. 3. Idealism, German. I. Title. Methodological Considerations 20
B2849.L35S87 1996
A. The Wissenschaftslehre, Metakritik, and the Nascent "Science of
121 '.68- dc20 95-32633
Linguistics"
CIP
B. Reflections on Method: Preliminary Considerations
C. Examples: Freedom, Purpose, Determination, and Practical Activity
A Catalog record for this book is available from the British Library.
3 An Introduction to Fichtean Semiotics: Action, Signification,
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced and "Arbitrary Signs" 32
or transmitted, in any form or by any
A. Fichte's Definition of "Language"
means, without wrinen permission.
B. Action and Signification
C. Signification, Intentionality, and "Arbitrary Signs"
Printed in United States of America
D. Fichte's View of Language in the Context of Later Discussions
4 The "Idea" of Language in General 40
A. The "Idea" of Language as "Rational Purpose"
B. Nature, Purposiveness, and the Reciprocity of Rational Beings
C. Language, Fichtean Semiotics, and the "Arbitrariness" of Signs
5 The Genealogy of Signs 48
A. Fichte and the Question of Origins
B. From the Idea of Language to Its Realization in Signification: Two
Fundamental Issues
(l) Audible versus Visual Signs
(2) The Relation between Thought and Language
C. Fichtean Semiotics as a "Transcendental Turn" in the Consideration of
Language
D. Ursprachen and "Hieroglyphic Languages"
6 From Semiotics to Linguistics 56
v
Contents
First published 1996 by Humanities Press International, Inc.,
Preface
IX
165 First Avenue, Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey 07716.
Interpretive Essay
© 1996 by Jere Paul Surber
Introduction 3
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Professor Fichte at Jena and His "Strange" New Essay 9
Surber, Jere Paul.
A. Fichte's Jena Audience: The Common Origins of Idealism and
Language and German idealism : Fichte's linguistic philosophy I
Romanticism
Jere Paul Surber.
B. The Reception of the Essay and Its Intellectual Challenge
p. cm.
C. The "Strange" Tide of Fichte's Essay: Empiricist and Rationalist Issues
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Once More?
ISBN 0- 391-03935-0
D. A Contemporary Reader: Friedrich Karl Forberg
1. Fichte, Johann Gottlieb, 1762- 1814- Contributions in philosophy of
language and languages. 2. Language and languages- Philosophy- History-I 8th 2 "Placing" Fichte's Essay on Language: Systematic and
century. 3. Idealism, German. I. Title. Methodological Considerations 20
B2849.L35S87 1996
A. The Wissenschaftslehre, Metakritik, and the Nascent "Science of
121 '.68- dc20 95-32633
Linguistics"
CIP
B. Reflections on Method: Preliminary Considerations
C. Examples: Freedom, Purpose, Determination, and Practical Activity
A Catalog record for this book is available from the British Library.
3 An Introduction to Fichtean Semiotics: Action, Signification,
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced and "Arbitrary Signs" 32
or transmitted, in any form or by any
A. Fichte's Definition of "Language"
means, without wrinen permission.
B. Action and Signification
C. Signification, Intentionality, and "Arbitrary Signs"
Printed in United States of America
D. Fichte's View of Language in the Context of Later Discussions
4 The "Idea" of Language in General 40
A. The "Idea" of Language as "Rational Purpose"
B. Nature, Purposiveness, and the Reciprocity of Rational Beings
C. Language, Fichtean Semiotics, and the "Arbitrariness" of Signs
5 The Genealogy of Signs 48
A. Fichte and the Question of Origins
B. From the Idea of Language to Its Realization in Signification: Two
Fundamental Issues
(l) Audible versus Visual Signs
(2) The Relation between Thought and Language
C. Fichtean Semiotics as a "Transcendental Turn" in the Consideration of
Language
D. Ursprachen and "Hieroglyphic Languages"
6 From Semiotics to Linguistics 56
v
Contents
VI (:<lNT l·.NTS Vll
A. Tlic l:l'111r:di1y oi' 1hc.: Sign J. Tc.:nscs and Cases
11. l.ing11is1ics as Narrative.: K. Philosophical Grammar and Empirical Linguistics
C Between Traditional Narratives and Later Linguistics: Narrative without I .. Conclusion
"Mcranarrarivc" Epilogue: Questions of Influence 111
D. The Spatio-Temporaliry of Signs: Fichte and Subsequent Criticism
E. The Linguistic Narrative: Two Opening Scenarios Translations
F. The Political Implications of Fichtean Linguistics
J.
G. Fichte: "On the Linguistic Capacity and the Origin of
G. Fichte's Rejection of Linguistic and Political "Contractarianism"
H. The Task at Hand Language" 117
7 An Excursus on Writing 67 Ernst Platner: Selections from the Philosophical Aphorisms 146
J.
A. The "Scope" of Fichte's Reflections on Writing G. Fichte: Lecture Notes on Platner's Aphorisms 155
B. Fichce's Explicit Remarks abour Writing
F. K. Forberg: "Concerning the Origin of Language" 167
C. The Problem of Writing before Fichte
(1) Herder's Views on Writing Biographical Notes 181
(2) Rousseau on Writing and Linguistic Change
D. The "Fichcean Revolution" in Linguistic Discourse Index 185
E. Results and Problems of Fichce's Account of Writing
8 Systematic and Interpretive Issues in Fichte's "Linguistic
Narrative"
78
A. The Systematic Place of Fichte's Linguistic Reflections.
(1) The Break in Fichte's Text
(2) The Systematic Place of Fichce's Reflections on Language
Reconsidered
(3) Fichce's Linguistic Narrative: Preliminary Comments
B. Fichte's Narrative and Plamer's Aphorisms
9 Fichte's Linguistic Narrative: The "Origin" of Words 88
A. Auditory Signs for Objects
(1) A Preliminary Consideration: Fichte's Relation to Modern Semiotic
Theory
(2) Political Oratory, Social Organization, and Phonetic Change
B. Auditory Signs for Concepts
(1) Signs and Objects, Words and Concepts
(2) The "Mose Universal Concepts" and their Linguistic Signification
(a) Significations of the "Highest Generality"
(b) Significations of "Supersensible Ideas"
(3) The Linguistic Imagination and the Metaphorical Roots of
Metaphysics
10 Fichte's Linguistic Narrative: The "Origin" of Grammar 96
A. Preliminary Considerations
B. Philosophy and the Tradition of "Universal Grammar"
C. From Words to Sentences
D. The Primacy of the Sentence: Verb-Participle-Substantive
E. Fichte's "Phonetic Principle"
F. The Emergence of Adjectives
G. Primitive Syntax
H. Voice
I. Number and Person
Contents
VI (:<lNT l·.NTS Vll
A. Tlic l:l'111r:di1y oi' 1hc.: Sign J. Tc.:nscs and Cases
11. l.ing11is1ics as Narrative.: K. Philosophical Grammar and Empirical Linguistics
C Between Traditional Narratives and Later Linguistics: Narrative without I .. Conclusion
"Mcranarrarivc" Epilogue: Questions of Influence 111
D. The Spatio-Temporaliry of Signs: Fichte and Subsequent Criticism
E. The Linguistic Narrative: Two Opening Scenarios Translations
F. The Political Implications of Fichtean Linguistics
J.
G. Fichte: "On the Linguistic Capacity and the Origin of
G. Fichte's Rejection of Linguistic and Political "Contractarianism"
H. The Task at Hand Language" 117
7 An Excursus on Writing 67 Ernst Platner: Selections from the Philosophical Aphorisms 146
J.
A. The "Scope" of Fichte's Reflections on Writing G. Fichte: Lecture Notes on Platner's Aphorisms 155
B. Fichce's Explicit Remarks abour Writing
F. K. Forberg: "Concerning the Origin of Language" 167
C. The Problem of Writing before Fichte
(1) Herder's Views on Writing Biographical Notes 181
(2) Rousseau on Writing and Linguistic Change
D. The "Fichcean Revolution" in Linguistic Discourse Index 185
E. Results and Problems of Fichce's Account of Writing
8 Systematic and Interpretive Issues in Fichte's "Linguistic
Narrative"
78
A. The Systematic Place of Fichte's Linguistic Reflections.
(1) The Break in Fichte's Text
(2) The Systematic Place of Fichce's Reflections on Language
Reconsidered
(3) Fichce's Linguistic Narrative: Preliminary Comments
B. Fichte's Narrative and Plamer's Aphorisms
9 Fichte's Linguistic Narrative: The "Origin" of Words 88
A. Auditory Signs for Objects
(1) A Preliminary Consideration: Fichte's Relation to Modern Semiotic
Theory
(2) Political Oratory, Social Organization, and Phonetic Change
B. Auditory Signs for Concepts
(1) Signs and Objects, Words and Concepts
(2) The "Mose Universal Concepts" and their Linguistic Signification
(a) Significations of the "Highest Generality"
(b) Significations of "Supersensible Ideas"
(3) The Linguistic Imagination and the Metaphorical Roots of
Metaphysics
10 Fichte's Linguistic Narrative: The "Origin" of Grammar 96
A. Preliminary Considerations
B. Philosophy and the Tradition of "Universal Grammar"
C. From Words to Sentences
D. The Primacy of the Sentence: Verb-Participle-Substantive
E. Fichte's "Phonetic Principle"
F. The Emergence of Adjectives
G. Primitive Syntax
H. Voice
I. Number and Person
Preface
This is a work that has been somewhat long in the birthing, and I have con-
sequently incurred considerable debts along the way. Particular gratitude is
due to the following: the University of Denver, and especially Provost William
Zaranka and Dean Roscoe Hill, for assisting me in finding the leave time
necessary to pursue the research on which this work is based; the Philosophisches
Seminar of the Johannes Gutenberg Universitat-Mainz, especially Professor
Thomas Seebohm and Dr. Achim Koddermann, for generous assistance during
my research sojourns there; and the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst and
the University of Denver Faculty Research Fund for making my research
travels financially possible. Special thanks also go to Tina Day, who typed
and edited an early version of the manuscript; Angela Ledbetter, who assisted
me in checking the translations; Heidi Loshbaugh and Patricia Kelly, who
proofread the manuscript; Vaughn McTernan, who did much of the scholarly
"legwork" for the material in the appendix; and, of course, all my students,
past and present, who listened patiently and responded generously as I worked
out my ideas over the course of numerous seminars on German Idealist
philosophy.
Regarding my translation practices, I have tried, as much as possible, to use
what by now have become "standard equivalents" for Fichte's terminology. A
convenient and helpful glossary can be found in Fichte: Foundations of Tran-
scendental Philosophy, edited and translated by Daniel Breazeale (Cornell U.
Press, 1992), to whom I am also indebted for his many and always helpful
suggestions on various stages of this work, as well as on the penultimate draft.
As to the use of gender-inclusive language, I have, for the most part, chosen,
though with some qualms, to retain the usage of an earlier time that was not
yet fully aware of the degree to which ideological prejudices can be uncon-
sciously reproduced in what appears be entirely natural linguistic idioms. If
to
it is of any comfort, what we do see in the present material is the first dawn-
ing of the possibility of such an awareness. Finally, I have, in many places,
retained the peculiarities of the often rather whimsical punctuation employed
during Fichte's time; it does, I think, sometimes influence the overall sense in
subtle ways.
My most heartfelt gratitude is reserved for four of the most positive influ-
ences on my life: the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, who first taught
me the joys of a scholar's life; my maternal grandparents and great aunt Kathryn
IX
Preface
This is a work that has been somewhat long in the birthing, and I have con-
sequently incurred considerable debts along the way. Particular gratitude is
due to the following: the University of Denver, and especially Provost William
Zaranka and Dean Roscoe Hill, for assisting me in finding the leave time
necessary to pursue the research on which this work is based; the Philosophisches
Seminar of the Johannes Gutenberg Universitat-Mainz, especially Professor
Thomas Seebohm and Dr. Achim Koddermann, for generous assistance during
my research sojourns there; and the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst and
the University of Denver Faculty Research Fund for making my research
travels financially possible. Special thanks also go to Tina Day, who typed
and edited an early version of the manuscript; Angela Ledbetter, who assisted
me in checking the translations; Heidi Loshbaugh and Patricia Kelly, who
proofread the manuscript; Vaughn McTernan, who did much of the scholarly
"legwork" for the material in the appendix; and, of course, all my students,
past and present, who listened patiently and responded generously as I worked
out my ideas over the course of numerous seminars on German Idealist
philosophy.
Regarding my translation practices, I have tried, as much as possible, to use
what by now have become "standard equivalents" for Fichte's terminology. A
convenient and helpful glossary can be found in Fichte: Foundations of Tran-
scendental Philosophy, edited and translated by Daniel Breazeale (Cornell U.
Press, 1992), to whom I am also indebted for his many and always helpful
suggestions on various stages of this work, as well as on the penultimate draft.
As to the use of gender-inclusive language, I have, for the most part, chosen,
though with some qualms, to retain the usage of an earlier time that was not
yet fully aware of the degree to which ideological prejudices can be uncon-
sciously reproduced in what appears be entirely natural linguistic idioms. If
to
it is of any comfort, what we do see in the present material is the first dawn-
ing of the possibility of such an awareness. Finally, I have, in many places,
retained the peculiarities of the often rather whimsical punctuation employed
during Fichte's time; it does, I think, sometimes influence the overall sense in
subtle ways.
My most heartfelt gratitude is reserved for four of the most positive influ-
ences on my life: the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, who first taught
me the joys of a scholar's life; my maternal grandparents and great aunt Kathryn
IX
x
Davis, wlio provided a rich environment f-l>r a "problem child"; my son Guy,
who has placed my srake in the future squarely before me; and, most of all,
my wife Heidi, who has always treated me far better than I have ever had a
right to expect. And, of course, my constant "mews" through all rhis, M-Car.
Interpretive Essay
