The Lost Legacy of Johann Gottfried Herder

Bibliographic Data

ID3970790
AuthorsJohannes Schmidt (0009-0002-9324-1649, Clemson University), Johannes G Schmidt (Clemson University, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume30
Issue6
Pages653-676
Publication date2025-08-18
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueThe European Legacy (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1084-8770 • E-ISSN: 1470-1316
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/10848770.2025.2525604
OpenAlexW4413086191
LanguageEN
References cited29

Herder was one of the great minds of his time; his name was mentioned in the same breath as Lessing’s, Goethe’s, and Schiller’s. His radical ideas advanced newly developing fields of (historical) linguistics and history, he promoted a new climate theory, and popularized the notion of zeitgeist. While Herder’s legacy has at times appeared to be lost, it stubbornly persists. This article draws attention to the importance of Herder’s ideas as well as the radically modern character of his thinking. First, his unique use of the term “zeitgeist” will be presented, followed by an inquiry into his dispute with Kant. A brief discussion of Heidegger’s interest in Herder’s philosophy of language concludes this article

Art · Theology · Alexander von Humboldt Studies · German Literature and Culture Studies · Moravian Church and William Blake · Philosophy

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