Posted by Arnessa on August 20, 1997 at 11:48:09:

In reply to Coleridge & German Idealism posted by Erin on August 19, 1997 at 09:39:13

] Next to Shelley, Coleridge was the most scholarly of the English Romantics. He traveled to Germany, and was highly influence by German Idealism --a school which believes that through reason, we apprehend what is real (noumena) over what is perceived (phenomena).

] First promulgated by Kant in the Critique of Pure Reason, this epistomolgy (IMHO, a modern interpretation of Plato --the Plato of the Republic), was further articulated by Hegel and later Marx in the 19th c..

] In essence, German Idealism negates what is preceived by the human senses by stating that it (preceived-reality) is not real or as Kant would say, "the thing itself". A conclusion of this concept can cause a 'yearning' for the Real. I can see this in Kubla Khan, this longing for noumena. It's also possible that Coleridge felt that he could attain it through the use if opium-based substances. Something Kant, I'm sure would not recommend.;-)

] Sorry --this has very little to do with S&S --but I couldn't resist talking about it.:-)

] Erin

It is very interesting, Erin. So perhaps Marianne wouldn't have been such a fan of Coleridge after all. She seems to believe her senses over reason. Or maybe not, because she also does long for a "reality" that is not constrained by anything real....like bills to pay, etc.

Who knows?