Friedrich Paulsen (* July 16, 1846 - † August 14, 1908), German philosopher and educator, was born at Langenhorn (Schleswig) and educated at Erlangen, Bonn and Berlin, where he became extraordinary professor of philosophy and pedagogy in 1878. In 1896 he succeeded Eduard Zeller as professor of moral philosophy at Berlin.

He was the greatest of the pupils of Gustav Theodor Fechner, to whose doctrine of panpsychism he gave great prominence by his Einleiiung in die Philosophie (1892; 7th ed., 1900; Eng. trans., 1895). He went, however, considerably beyond Fechner in attempting to give an epistemological account of the knowledge of the psychophysical. Admitting Kant's hypothesis that by inner sense we are conscious of mental states only, he holds that this consciousness constitutes a knowledge of the thing-in-itself which Kant denies. Soul is, therefore, a practical reality which Paulsen, with Schopenhauer, regards as known by the act of will. But this will is neither rational desire, unconscious irrational will, nor conscious intelligent will, but an instinct, a will to live (Zielstrebigkeit), often subconscious, pursuing ends, indeed, but without reasoning as to means. This conception of will, though consistent and convenient to the main thesis, must be rigidly distinguished from the ordinary significance of will, i.e. rational desire. Paulsen is almost better known for his educational writings than as a pure philosopher. His German Education, Past and Present (Eng. trans., by I. Lorenz, 1907) is a work of great value.

Among his other works are:

• Versuch einer Entwickelunggeschichte der Kantischen Erkenntnistheorie (Leipzig, 1875);
• Im. Kant (1898, 1899);
• Gründung, Organisation und Lebensordnungen der deutschen Universitäten im Mittelaiter (in Sybels Histor. Zeitschr. vol. xlv. 1881);
• Geschichte des gelehrten Unterrichts auf den deutschen Schulen unnd Universitäten (1885, 1896);
• System der Ethik (1889, 1899; Eng. Trans.)

More on [ Friedrich Paulsen ]

Wiley: All New Reference Titles

70-643: Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure Configuration, Package
Microsoft Official Academic Course Tue, 15 Jul 2008 04:00:00 -0000
  Exam 70-643, Windows Server 2008 Applications Platform Configuration.    The newest iteration of the Microsoft Official Academic Course (MOAC) program for network administration courses using Windows Server 2008 and mapping to the Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) 70-643 certification exam. The MOAC IT Professional series is the Official from Microsoft, turn-key Workforce training program that leads to professional certification Read More...
CISSP: Certified Information Systems Security Professional Study Guide, 4th Edition
James Michael Stewart, Ed Tittel, Mike Chapple Tue, 08 Jul 2008 04:00:00 -0000
  Building on the popular Sybex Study Guide approach, this book provides 100% coverage of the CISSP Body of Knowledge exam objectives. You'll find: Read More...
MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure Configuration: Exam 70-642
William Panek, Tylor Wentworth Tue, 08 Jul 2008 04:00:00 -0000
  Get ready for the new Windows Server 2008 certification track. With Microsoft's release of Windows Server 2008 and a new generation of certification exams, network administrators have more reason than ever to certify their expertise in the world's leading server software. Inside, find the full coverage you need to prepare for Exam 70-642: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuring, Read More...
Shakespeare on the Double! A Midsummer Night's Dream
William Shakespeare, Mary Ellen Snodgrass Mon, 23 Jun 2008 04:00:00 -0000
  "The course of true love never did run smooth." Read More...
Shakespeare on the Double! Twelfth Night
William Shakespeare, Mary Ellen Snodgrass Mon, 23 Jun 2008 04:00:00 -0000
  "O Time, thou must untangle this, not I! Read More...
Shakespeare on the Double! The Taming of the Shrew
William Shakespeare, Mary Ellen Snodgrass Mon, 23 Jun 2008 04:00:00 -0000
  "I am ashamed that women are so simpleTo offer war where they should kneel for peace, Or seek for rule, supremancy, and sway Read More...

Subscribe to Reference RSS feed