From Kant's Romanticism to Early Romantics'Kantianism——Rethinking on the Inherent Relationship Between Kant and German Romanticism
Sticking to the dogmatic understanding of classical German philosophy,many philosophers often tend to cut off the connection between German romanticism and classical German philosophy,treating it as an irrational trend of thought opposite to classical German philosophy,and even denying the philosophical value of German romanticism.However,early romantics like Novalis shared the problem consciousness of Kant's critical philosophy like most other classical German philosophers.Kant's uniqueness lies in that he is both a defender and a profound critic of enlightenment reason.He tries to limit the scope of knowledge by criticizing reason itself and prevent unrestrained rational reflection from nihilising all unconditional and immortal values.At the same time,from the practical application of reason,it proves the reality of a moral world with intrinsic value and purpose.Kant's restriction on the process of rationalization and disenchantment of nature and his justification of the morality of nature constitute the forerunner of German romanticism,and the early romantics were inspired by Kant's Copernican Revolution,which further proved the priority of existence in consciousness,and replaced Kant's practical principle with poetic principle,revealing the unity of transcendence and immanence of unconditional being.