On the Aesthetic Education of Man

18th century German philosopher, poet, and playwright, Friedrich Schiller began writing while he was in the army. Commanded to stop by his superiors he deserted the army, moved to another country, and began writing under a false name. Schiller was a deep-thinker on ethics and aesthetics. His beliefs held that beauty is not just an aesthetic experience, but that it is also connected with goodness. An essay on aesthetics first published in 1794, “On the Aesthetic Education of Man” takes the form of a series of letters discussing the importance of art upon society. Schiller begins this work by discussing his disenchantment with how the French Revolution descended into violence and failed to bring about the ideals that it intended to. What follows is a commentary on Kantian aesthetical philosophy which discusses the conflict of man’s drive for pleasure versus his capacity for reason. Schiller argues ultimately that this conflict can be resolved, and elevate the moral character of man, by an informed appreciation of aesthetics allowing for a balance between these two competing forces. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

18th century German philosopher, poet, and playwright, Friedrich Schiller began writing while he was in the army. Commanded to stop by his superiors he deserted the army, moved to another country, and began writing under a false name. Schiller was a deep-thinker on ethics and aesthetics. His beliefs held that beauty is not just an aesthetic experience, but that it is also connected with goodness. An essay on aesthetics first published in 1794, “On the Aesthetic Education of Man” takes the form of a series of letters discussing the importance of art upon society. Schiller begins this work by discussing his disenchantment with how the French Revolution descended into violence and failed to bring about the ideals that it intended to. What follows is a commentary on Kantian aesthetical philosophy which discusses the conflict of man’s drive for pleasure versus his capacity for reason. Schiller argues ultimately that this conflict can be resolved, and elevate the moral character of man, by an informed appreciation of aesthetics allowing for a balance between these two competing forces. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

'Man defines himself by his deeds - and what kind of image of man do we see in the mirror of our present times?' The poet and dramatist Friedrich Schiller was also a profound philosopher, who described his work On the Aesthetic Education of Man as 'the best thing that I have done in my life'. This impassioned treatise analyses politics, revolution and human nature to define the relationship between beauty, art and morality. Expressed as a series of letters to a patron, it argues that only an aesthetic education - rather than government reform, religion or moral teachings - can achieve a truly free society, and must be placed at the heart of human experience. One of the most important works of German philosophy, its arguments remain as arresting and inspiring as when they were first written. Translated by Keith Tribe with an introduction and notes by Alexander Schmidt

'Man defines himself by his deeds - and what kind of image of man do we see in the mirror of our present times?' The poet and dramatist Friedrich Schiller was also a profound philosopher, who described his work On the Aesthetic Education of Man as 'the best thing that I have done in my life'. This impassioned treatise analyses politics, revolution and human nature to define the relationship between beauty, art and morality. Expressed as a series of letters to a patron, it argues that only an aesthetic education - rather than government reform, religion or moral teachings - can achieve a truly free society, and must be placed at the heart of human experience. One of the most important works of German philosophy, its arguments remain as arresting and inspiring as when they were first written. Translated by Keith Tribe with an introduction and notes by Alexander Schmidt