Practical Philosophy in Schelling's Thought

 

Schelling's practical philosophy focuses on the development of freedom—the ability of the mind to act deliberately and shape the world. It examines how intelligence, having evolved to understand itself and the external world (as described in theoretical philosophy), becomes aware of its capacity for independent action, choice, and creativity.

This stage represents the transition from understanding to action. It explores how the mind moves beyond passively observing or understanding the world to actively participating in and transforming it.

1. Awareness of Freedom:
• Freedom emerges when the mind recognizes that it is not bound by external forces or purely natural laws but has the capacity to choose and act autonomously.
2. Moral Responsibility:
• With the realization of freedom comes the ability to distinguish between good and evil. The mind takes responsibility for its actions and begins to shape the world according to ethical values.
3. Freedom as Self-Expression:
• For Schelling, freedom is not just about making choices but about creativity—the ability to bring something new into existence.

Stages of Freedom in Practical Philosophy

1. Recognition of External Constraints:
• At first, the mind sees itself as limited by external forces—nature, societal expectations, or circumstances.
2. Realization of Inner Freedom:
• The mind begins to understand that freedom lies in its ability to choose and act despite external constraints.
3. Shaping the World Through Action:
• True freedom is achieved when the mind uses its understanding of itself and the world to actively shape and transform reality.

Practical philosophy reveals that freedom is the hallmark of human existence. It emphasizes that true freedom is not merely the absence of constraints but the ability to act with purpose, creativity, and moral responsibility. In Schelling's system, this progression from awareness to action reflects the unfolding of the Absolute as it becomes fully realized in the freedom and creativity of humanity.

 Philosophy of Art: Represents the highest synthesis of the previous stages.

For Schelling, art represents the culmination of the philosophical journey because it synthesizes the insights of theoretical philosophy (understanding the world) and practical philosophy (freedom and action). In art, the mind bridges the gap between nature and spirit, creating a harmonious union of thought, freedom, and creativity. Art becomes the ultimate expression of the Absolute—where opposites like the subjective (mind) and the objective (nature) are reconciled.

1. Art as a Synthesis of Understanding and Freedom:
• In theoretical philosophy, the mind observes and understands nature.
• In practical philosophy, the mind acts freely and shapes the world.
• In art, these two capacities merge: the mind both understands and creates, producing works that embody universal truths while expressing individual freedom.
2. Art as the Expression of the Absolute:
• Art reveals the unity of opposites (subjective and objective, freedom and necessity).
3. The Artist as a Creator:
• The artist, according to Schelling, mirrors the Absolute by bringing something entirely new into being. The creative act is a reflection of the divine act of creation.
4. Art as a Revelation of Freedom:
• Art expresses the ultimate freedom of the human spirit—it is not bound by the strict logic of science or morality but transcends these boundaries to create something purely original.

Art surpasses the limitations of science and morality because it transcends the boundaries of knowledge and action. While theoretical philosophy explains the world and practical philosophy engages with it, art creates a new reality, expressing the unity of all things.

In Schelling’s view, the Absolute is fully realized in art because it embodies both the universal (objective truths) and the individual (subjective freedom), making it the highest form of human achievement.

Schelling placed great emphasis on art, which he considered the pinnacle of human understanding. For him, art reconciles the tensions between "sleeping freedom" (nature) and "conscious freedom" (spirit):

Art allows the ego to grasp the fundamental purposiveness of existence through intuitive insight. 

The artist, in Schelling’s view, becomes the medium through which nature and spirit unite.

Unity of Nature and Spirit

At the core of Schelling’s philosophy lies the belief that nature and spirit are two aspects of the same reality. He expressed this unity in several profound ideas:

• Mind Becoming Objective:
  Spirit or mind cannot remain abstract; it must embody itself in the concrete and sensible world. For instance:
• Human creativity (e.g., art and science) represents the externalization of mind into the material world.
• Nature as “Immature Intelligence”:
  Schelling described nature as embryonic mind, constantly striving toward full realization. Matter is not dead or inert but a latent form of intelligence that evolves into consciousness.
• Circularity of the Process:
  The process of evolution is circular:
• Nature evolves into spirit.
• Spirit, in turn, reflects back on nature, completing the cycle.
• This interplay allows the Absolute to know itself.

Schelling’s Philosophy of the World stands out for its attempt to integrate subjective and objective realities into a unified whole. It offers profound insights into:

• The spiritual dimension of nature, resonating with Romanticism.
• The role of human creativity in realizing the Absolute.
• A holistic view of existence that anticipates modern ecological and systems thinking.

While his scientific grounding was flawed, Schelling’s emphasis on the dynamic unity of nature and spirit influenced later thinkers, including Hegel, Kierkegaard, and proponents of ecological philosophy.