Schelling's Mystical Platonism: 1792-1802 with Dr. Naomi Fisher (Loyola University, Chicago).

May 7th, 2024, marks the official release date of Dr. Naomi Fisher’s important text on 'Schelling’s Mystical Platonism: 1792-1802,' from Oxford University Press. For this special occasion in Schelling scholarship, I invited Dr. Naomi Fisher (who is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at Loyola University Chicago), to discuss major themes from her new book.
Dr. Fisher navigates us through Schelling very early essays in 1792 to his systematic 1802 dialogue Bruno; highlighting Schelling's own sophisticated Mystical Platonism.
“Naomi Fisher argues that Schelling is committed to two overarching theses, which together comprise his mystical Platonism. First, Schelling considers the absolute to be ineffable: It cannot be described in conceptual terms. For this reason, it remains inferentially external to any given philosophical system and is only intimated to us in certain analogical formulations, in works of art, or in nature as a whole.
Second, Schelling is committed to a kind of priority monism: All things are grounded in the absolute, but finite things possess an integral unity all their own, and so have a distinct and relatively independent existence. Highlighting these commitments resolves an interpretive dispute, according to which Schelling is a Fichtean idealist or a Spinozist, or he vacillates between these positions. Interpreting Schelling as advancing a mystical Platonism provides an alternative way of interpreting these early texts, such that they are by and large consistent. Fisher presents Schelling's early philosophy as a unique and compelling fusion of the old and new: Schelling fulfills the characteristic aims of post-Kantian philosophy in a way distinctive among his contemporaries, by drawing on and appropriating various strands of Platonism.”
You can purchase Naomi's book here: global.oup.com/academic/produ...
Dr. Naomi Fisher is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Loyola University Chicago. Her research focuses on Kant and German Idealism and Romanticism, specifically the relationship between nature, freedom, and rationality in Kant and Schelling. Currently, she is working on projects related to the impact of Plato and Neoplatonism on Schelling’s philosophy. She also has interests in the broader history of philosophy, philosophy of science, and philosophy of religion.
Naomi Fisher PHD
www.luc.edu/philosophy/naomif...
naomifisher.weebly.com/
Questions from the Video.
1.The title of your text is Schelling’s Mystical Platonism 1792-1802. In the introduction you bring up a couple of important distinctions of what Platonism is, guided by a modern lens. This is indicated by phases: Early, middle and late Platonism, and also in reference to certain Dialogues. What Platonism best describes Schelling’s early philosophical project and how is Schelling’s own innovation in Platonism different to our own modern conceptions of Platonism and Neo-Platonism?
2. What is Schelling’s distinctive contribution to German Idealism? How does he differ from other German Idealists?
3. What are some of the main attributes of a Mystical Platonism? How do they play out in Schelling’s philosophy from 1792-1802 and can we define Schelling as Mystical thinker?
4. Could you briefly outline what Priority Monism is, and how does it apply to Schelling’s thought throughout this period that you are writing on?
5. You have a chapter on Schelling’s 1794 commentary on the Timaeus. What are some of the major important philosophical themes that attract Schelling to this work?
6. Who are some of the major Platonists or Neo-Platonists that have influenced Schelling own distinct Platonism.
7. How is Schelling’s Platonism manifested Particularly in his 1802 Dialogue Bruno

[@haileyuki5129]

absolutely amazing 🤍 Dr. Fisher is one of my favorite guests so far

[@jamesalbin6249]

Nice talk. Many great points stated very clearly by Dr Fisher.

[@Jedi_Mind_]

All I can say is wow !!! 😳 what a feast of philosophical treats these videos of yours are Dr. Satoor !! Not only are you giving us new perspectives on our favorite philosophers but you are simultaneously introducing us to some of the brightest and fresh young philosophers in the field today. (Along with the veterans like Dr. babich) So neat to see you include young women philosophers like dr. Schliech and Naomi Fisher here 🙏 your literally my favorite youtube channel,

[@TheYoungIdealist]

Master Jedi! You are too kind. I appreciate all of the support you give this channel.

[@deathkilltron]

we love chris! thank you for all these fantastic talks! and thanks to all the scholars like naomi for sharing their wisdom! Makes philosophy really accessible and enjoyable.

[@TheYoungIdealist]

Thank you for the kind words @deathkilltron, I really appreciate you taking the time to watch these videos and like and comment on them. I appreciate every single one of my subscribers/viewers on this channel. As long as there is at least one person returning and tuning in I promise to continue to create free and accessible philosophical content for everyone!

[@filipsmit5497]

This conversation is a philosophical jewell. Many thanks to both of you!

[@materiaprima6193]

Got into Schelling through Voegelin… glad i found this

[@TheYoungIdealist]

I love Voegelin's work on Schelling! Thanks, for commenting and for watching the video!

[@metaekpyrosinpalingenesis7040]

Thank you so much for your incredible content!

[@TheYoungIdealist]

You are very welcome, thanks for the support!

[@thomassimmons1950]

I've found Bulgakov's: (The Tragedy of Philosophy) quite instructive of these questions. Great talk, thanks y'all!!

[@TheYoungIdealist]

Thank you for your comment Thomas, I will check out Bulgakov's work!

[@thomassimmons1950]

​@@TheYoungIdealist CHEERS !

[@MrMarktrumble]

Thank you

[@veritasluxmea77]

Great interview!

[@TheYoungIdealist]

Thank you, Veritas. I am glad you enjoyed the latest Episode.

[@DelandaBaudLacanian]

23:50 - Naomi Fisher debates Sean McGrath when??

[@TheYoungIdealist]

She was talking about my other video, the one where I interview Sean McGrath.

[@DelandaBaudLacanian]

​@@TheYoungIdealist Yes! Sean McGrath has a way of phrasing things that really sticks with you (I've been thinking about the whole Schelling is into "Nature Philosophy", not "Philosophy of Nature", and into "Philosophy of Religion", not "Religion Philosophy" thing he said for a while). I just meant that Fisher should debate McGrath on whether Hegel is the mystic and whether a great injustice has been done to Schelling by the Hegelians.. But I love all your videos..so thank you, Chris!

[@matthewparlato5626]

I'm in love

[@TheYoungIdealist]

Naomi is a fantastic scholar, and a great Schellingian! I am lucky to be friends with her. Thanks, for your comment.

[@matthewparlato5626]

@TheYoungIdealist it was a fantastic dialogue!

[@l3eatalphal3eatalpha]

​@@TheYoungIdealistHe doesn't say who it is...

[@TheYoungIdealist]

@@l3eatalphal3eatalpha Who are you speaking about? Naomi? She is my guest in this video.

[@l3eatalphal3eatalpha]

@@TheYoungIdealist I'm saying it could be you :) But I will comment again when I have finished the interview to leave a more thoughtful comment.

[@robertalenrichter]

I imagine that both of you read German, but am curious about that. Schelling is complex, and it's the early 19th century. I have a GDR paperback version of System des transzendentalen Idealismus on the shelf, unread :)

[@TheYoungIdealist]

Hallo Robert. Vielen Dank für deinen Kommentar und die Unterstützung für meinen Kanal. Naomi und ich können auf Deutsch lesen und schreiben. Bevorzugen Sie die Übersetzung aus dem Meiner Verlag?

[@robertalenrichter]

@@TheYoungIdealist Ich bin eigentlich englischer Muttersprachler, mit Deutsch und Französisch als Fremdsprachen, wohne in Berlin. Was Schelling und überhaupt den Idealismus angeht, keineswegs philosophisch bewandert, eher neugierig -- sogar ein bisschen gierig :) Was dazu führt, dass ich Bücher kaufe, die ich nicht lese...YT verleitet mich manchmal zu einer gewissen Selbstüberforderung, aber es soll keine Hochstapelei werden...beste Grüße.

[@Silvercardinal7]

Naomi has a very impressive verbal IQ.