Friedrich Albert Lange
Friedrich Albert Lange | |
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Marxist materialism |
Friedrich Albert Lange (German:
Biography
Lange was born in Wald, near Solingen, the son of the theologian, Johann Peter Lange. He was educated at Duisburg, Zürich and Bonn, where he distinguished himself in gymnastics as much as academically. In 1852 he became a schoolmaster at Cologne; in 1853 Privatdozent in philosophy at Bonn; and in 1858 schoolmaster at Duisburg, resigning when the government forbade schoolmasters to take part in political activities.[3]
Lange entered
In 1866, discouraged by affairs in Germany, he moved to
Although he rejected
There is a comprehensive school named after him, the Friedrich-Albert-Lange-Gesamtschule, in Wald, his birthplace, which is now part of the city of Solingen.
Overview of his philosophy
Adopting the Kantian standpoint that we can know nothing but phenomena, Lange maintained that neither materialism nor any other metaphysical system has a valid claim to ultimate truth. For empirical phenomenal knowledge, however, materialism with its exact scientific methods has done a most valuable service. Ideal metaphysics, though they fail of the inner truth of things, have a value as the embodiment of high aspirations, in the same way as poetry and religion. In Lange's Logische Studien, which attempts a reconstruction of formal logic, the leading idea is that reasoning has validity in so far as it can be represented in terms of space. His Arbeiterfrage advocates an ill-defined form of socialism. It protests against contemporary industrial selfishness, and against the organization of industry on the Darwinian principle of struggle for existence.[4]
Political Activism
Lange was a known political activist who frequently advocated for nonviolent social change in Germany, commonly attributed to his support of worker’s rights and women's suffrage following the upsurge of labor movements during Germany’s early industrialization. Lange was sympathetic towards the rallying of workers' unions as he believed them to be a crucial step towards the egalitarian society he details in a large variety of his published works.[8] When Lange was twenty, he became an official member of the German Social Democratic Party, otherwise known as the SPD, and would swiftly rise to prominence primarily as a result of his dedication to improving workers’ well-being and education.[9] He would remain an important piece of the SPD until his death at the age of forty-seven. Lange upheld his belief in passive reform and argued against the use of violence in spite of many revolutionaries who he frequently clashed with. His loyalty to his ideals enabled him to accrue a great following of supporters that believed in his idea of a peaceful revolution, giving him a powerful basis for his later movements and publications.[8]
Prior to his time spent in the SPD, Lange was a member of the General Herman Workers’ Association, also known as ADAV. The association was founded by Ferdinand Lassalle and the two would frequently engage in debate in regard to their differing stances on the role held by the state in supporting significant social change. He served as a primary editor for the party's newspaper, enabling him to shape the public's perception of socialism while engaging in meaningful debates regarding the organization's goals.[9] Lange was a strong supporter of the state's power to influence the revolution and remained steadfast in his opposition to revolutionary violence. During his time as an editor in the association, he would establish trade unions through his socialist approach to politics that would ultimately form the basis of the upcoming socialist movement in Germany. In 1865, Lange would decide to leave the ADAV under the notion that the organization had become overly authoritarian and ego-centric under the leadership of Lassalle.[9]
In 1848, Lange, being only twenty years of age, was deeply involved in the revolutionary uprisings spreading across Europe. He was seen rallying behind workers as they demanded political reform and freedom from the Prussian monarchy. During this time Lange was an outspoken advocate for the use of revolutionary violence, as he believed it was necessary to achieve an equitable society, however, he would reconsider his stance following the failure of the revolution. Being encouraged to flee Germany in light of his role in the revolution, Lange would continue writing about German socialist reform while living in Switzerland, drawing primarily from socialist and liberal ideologies.[9]
Following his change in perception regarding the nature of revolutionary violence, Lange shifted his approach to supporting the underrepresented working class. Lange had a fundamental belief that the primary concern for the working class lay in its inaccessibility to affordable living based on the minimal wages being provided. Lange would spend a significant amount of time analyzing the beliefs of Thomas Malthus.[9] Thomas believed that an increase in food availability should be the first and foremost concern when attempting to raise the standing of the working class, as the primary constraint is in the struggle for mere existence. While Malthus' notions would be most commonly interpreted as supportive of capitalism and widely disparaged in Germany, Lange had a unique understanding of his argument that led him to conclude that bolstering the lower class's living conditions must be brought through a fundamental change in the legal system.[9] He believed that it was in the responsibility of those in a higher class, especially those involved in state government, to listen to the demands of the working class, and mediate the standard of living through gradual reform via rational arguments.
Works
- 1855: Über den Zusammenhang der Erziehungssysteme mit den herrschenden Weltanschauungen verschiedener Zeitalter. (On the Connection Between the Educational Systems with the Dominant World Views of Different Eras.)
- 1862: Die Stellung der Schule zum öffentlichen Leben. (The Position of the School in Relation to Public Life.)
- 1863: Die Leibesübungen. Eine Darstellung des Werdens und Wesens der Turnkunst in ihrer pädagogischen und culturhistorischen Bedeutung. (Physical Exercise: A Presentation of the History and Essence of Gymnastics in its Pedagogical and Cultural-Historical Significance.)
- 1865: Die Arbeiterfrage in ihrer Bedeutung für Gegenwart und Zukunft. (The Labour Question in its Present and Future Significance.)
- 1865: Die Grundlegung der mathematischen Psychologie. Ein Versuch zur Nachweisung des fundamentalen Fehlers bei Herbart und Drobisch. (Foundations of Mathematical Psychology. Attempt at a Demonstration of the Fundamental Error of Herbart and Drobisch.)
- 1866: Geschichte des Materialismus und Kritik seiner Bedeutung in der Gegenwart. (History of Materialism and Critique of its Present Significance.)
- 1877: Logische Studien. Ein Beitrag zur Neubegründung der formalen Logik und der Erkenntnisstheorie. (Logical Studies. A Contribution to the New Foundation of Formal Logic and Cognitive Theory.)
Notes
- ^ Carl Beck Sachs, The Collapse of Transcendence in Nietzsche's Middle Period, University of California, San Diego, 2005, p. 34.
- ^ Friedrich Albert Lange entry at the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy by Nadeem J. Z. Hussain
- ^ Sturt 1911, pp. 172–173.
- ^ a b c Sturt 1911, p. 173.
- ^ "Bebel's Reminiscences".
- ^ Nguyen, Duy Lap (2022). Walter Benjamin and the Critique of Political Economy. London: Bloomsbury academic. pp. 123–151.
- ^ Sturt 1911.
- ^ a b Hussain, Nadeem J. Z.; Patton, Lydia (2021), "Friedrich Albert Lange", in Zalta, Edward N. (ed.), The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Winter 2021 ed.), Metaphysics Research Lab, Stanford University, retrieved 2023-05-03
- ^ a b c d e f Hoffman, Matthew J. (2010). Friedrich Albert Lange: A Political Life (2nd ed.). Northwestern University Press. pp. 43–107.
References
A comprehensive bibliography of Lange's own works, as well as some of the secondary literature, can be found online at: http://philpapers.org/sep/friedrich-lange/.
- Hoffman, Matthew J. (2010). Friedrich Albert Lange: A Political Life (2nd ed.). Northwestern University Press. pp. 43–107
- Hussain, Nadeem J. Z.; Patton, Lydia (2021), Zalta, Edward N. (ed.), "Friedrich Albert Lange", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Winter 2021 ed.), Metaphysics Research Lab, Stanford University, retrieved 2023-05-03
- Rines, George Edwin, ed. (1920). Encyclopedia Americana. .
- public domain: Sturt, Henry (1911). "Lange, Friedrich Albert". In Chisholm, Hugh (ed.). Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 16 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 172–173. This article incorporates text from a publication now in the
Further reading
- Bleuler-Hausheer, Salomon (1876), "Friedrich Albert Lange. Eine biographische Skizze und Erinnerungen an die Verfassungsrevision", in: Der Landbote und Tagblatt der Stadt Winterthur, No. 2, 2. Januar 1876 bis No. 11, 13. Januar 1876
- Berdiajew, Nikolai, "Friedrich Albert Lange und die kritische Philosophie in ihren Beziehungen zum Sozialismus", in: Die Neue Zeit, 18. Jg., (1900), 2. Bd., S. 132-140, S. 164-174, S. 196-207
- Bernstein, Eduart, "Zur Würdigung Friedrich Albert Langes", in: Die Neue Zeit. Revue des geistigen und öffentlichen Lebens, 6. Jg., (1892), 2. Bd., S. 68-78, 101-109, 132-141
- Braun, Heinrich (1881), Friedrich Albert Lange als Sozialökonom nach seinem Leben und seinen Schriften, Diss. Universität Halle a.d.Saale
- Cohen, Hermann, "Friedrich Albert Lange", in: Treitschke, H.v./Wehrenpfennig, W. (Hrsg.), Preußische Jahrbücher, 37. Band, (1876), 4. Heft, S. 353-381
- Georg Eckert, "Friedrich Albert Lange (1828-1875) und die Social-Demokratie in Duisburg", in: Duisburger Forschungen 8 (1965), 1-23
- ders., Friedrich Albert Lange. Über Politik und Philosophie. Briefe und Leitartikel 1862-1875 (= Duisburger Forschungen Beiheft 10); Duisburg 1968
- Elissen, Otto A. (1894), Friedrich Albert Lange. Eine Lebensbeschreibung, Leipzig
- Fischer, Heinz-Dietrich, "F. A. Lange als politischer Publizist", in: Duisburger Forschungen 21 (1975), 145-173
- Freimuth, Frank (1993), Wie kultiviere ich die Freiheit bei dem Zwange? Das Bildungsverständnis Friedrich Albert Langes, Pfaffenweiler
- Grab, Walter, "F. A. Langes Zeitung »Der Bote vom Niederrhein« und die Kontinuität demokratischer Strömungen in Deutschland", in: Duisburger Forschungen 21 (1975), 83-91
- Gross, Andreas / Klages, Andreas (1996), "Die Volksinitiative in den Kantonen am Beispiel des Kantons Zürich", in: Auer, A. (Hrsg.), Les origines de la démocratie directe en Suisse / Die Ursprünge der schweizerischen direkten Demokratie. Actes du Colloque organisé les 27-29 avril 1995 par la Faculté de droit et le C2D, Bern, S. 267-281
- Guggenbühl, Gottfried (1936), Der Landbote 1836-1936. Hundert Jahre Politik im Spiegel der Presse, Winterthur
- Gundlach, Franz (1928), Catalogus Professorumm Academiae Marburgensis. Die akademischen Lehrer der Philipps-Universität Marburg. Von 1527-1910, S. 298.
- Heid, Ludger, "F. A. Lange und der Preußische Verfassungskonflikt", in: Duisburger Forschungen 21 (1975), 56-70
- Heinemann, Gustav (1978), "Friedrich Albert Lange - Der Vorrang der politischen vor der sozialen", in: Frankfurter Hefte. Zeitschrift für Kultur und Politik, 33. Jg., Heft 2, Februar, S. 27-33.
- Hirsch, Helmut, "F. A. Lange und die USA im Zeitpunkt des amerikanischen Sezessionskrieges", in: Duisburger Forschungen 21 (1975), 92-107
- Holzhey, Helmut, "Philosophische Kritik. Zum Verhältnis von Erkenntnistheorie und Sozialphilosophie bei F.A. Lange", in: Duisburger Forschungen 21 (1975), 207-225
- Irmer, Peter, F.A. Lange – ein politischer Agitator in der deutschen Arbeiterbewegung; in: Duisburger Forschungen 21 (1975), 1-19
- Jacobsen, Bjarne (1989), Max Weber und Friedrich Albert Lange. Rezeption und Innovation, Wiesbaden
- Wolfdietrich von Kloeden (1992). "Lange, Friedrich Albert". In Bautz, Traugott (ed.). Biographisch-Bibliographisches Kirchenlexikon (BBKL) (in German). Vol. 4. Herzberg: Bautz. cols. 1092–1097. ISBN 3-88309-038-7. (with references)
- Knoll, Joachim H., F.A. Lange - eine »merkwürdige Randfigur« in der Pädagogik des 19. Jahrhunderts; in: Duisburger Forschungen 21 (1975), 108-132
- Ley, Hermann, F.A. Langes „Geschichte des Materialismus"; in: Duisburger Forschungen 21 (1975), 174-187
- Majert, Regina, Friedrich Albert Lange als Präses des Vorstandes der gewerblichen Sonntagsschule in Duisburg (1860-1865); in: Duisburger Forschungen 23 (1976), 238-248
- Na’aman, Shlomo, F.A. Lange in der deutschen Arbeiterbewegung; in: Duisburger Forschungen 21 (1975), 20-55
- Plump, Klaus, "Der Nachlaß F.A. Langes im Stadtarchiv Duisburg"; in: Duisburger Forschungen 21 (1975), 236-267
- ders. (1975), "Versuch einer Bibliographie der von Friedrich Albert Lange publizierten Schriften", in: Knoll, Joachim/ Schoeps, Uulius (Hrsg.), Friedrich Albert Lange. Leben und Werk, Duisburg, S. 236-265
- Reichesberg, Naum (1892), Friedrich Albert Lange als Sozialökonom, Dissertation Universität Bern
- Sass, Hans-Martin, Der Standpunkt des Ideals als kritische Überwindung materialistischer und idealistischer Metaphysik; in: Duisburger Forschungen 21 (1975), 188-206
- Sattler, Martin, "F. A. Lange: »Socialkonservativer« oder »Socialrevolutionär«"; in: Duisburger Forschungen 21 (1975), 71-82
- Schoeps, Julius H., "F. A. Lange und die deutsche Turnbewegung", in: Duisburger Forschungen 21 (1975), 133-145
- Schulz, Eberhard Günter (1991), Friedrich Albert Lange und die katholische Philosophie, Bochum
- Stack, Georg J. (1983), Nietzsche and Lange, Berlin, New York
- Vaihinger, Hans (1876), Hartmann, Dürig und Lange. Zur Geschichte der deutschen Philosophie im 19. Jahrhundert, Iserlohn
- Weyer, Adam, "Religion und Sozialismus bei F. A. Lange", in: Duisburger Forschungen 21 (1975), 226-235
- Wolff, Georg (1925), Friedrich Albert Langes sozialpolitische Anschauungen und seine Stellung zu Sozialismus und Sozialreform, Dissertation Universität Gießen
- Zinnel, Jürgen (2000), Friedrich Albert Langes Überlegungen zur direkten Demokratie unter Berücksichtigung zeitgenössischer Diskussionszusammenhänge, Marburg