1679 – 1754
Christian Wolff was a German rationalist philosopher who systematized Leibnizian philosophy into a comprehensive and rigorous framework that dominated German intellectual life for decades. His work spanned metaphysics, ethics, aesthetics, logic, and natural law, and he is widely regarded as the most important German philosopher between Leibniz and Kant.
Systematized Leibniz's philosophy into a comprehensive, methodical philosophical system
Established German as a serious language of academic philosophy and science
Developed influential taxonomies of philosophical disciplines still reflected in university curricula
Advanced a rationalist ethics grounding moral obligation in natural law and the perfection of human nature
Profoundly shaped Kant's philosophical education and the trajectory of German Enlightenment thought
Without independent moral grounding, aesthetic experience's natural tendency to morally good outcomes can be perverted.
premisePleasurable sentiments are a primary constituent of happiness.
claimAesthetic experience is of indirect moral value.
premiseArt can be put to perverse and immoral use as well as healthy and good use.
premiseWorks of art make abstract moral precepts effective on our action.
claimAesthetic experience is of direct moral value.
premiseFree and unhindered activity of the representational capacity produces pleasurable sentiments.
premiseAesthetic experience is a variety of free and unhindered activity of the representational capacity.
premiseWorks of art enliven our abstract knowledge of moral precepts.
claimAn independent grasp of and commitment to fundamental moral principles is necessary even given art's natural tendency toward moral good.
claimSulzer's moral theory is not egocentric.
Without independent moral grounding, aesthetic experience's natural tendency to morally good outcomes can be perverted.
premisePleasurable sentiments are a primary constituent of happiness.
premiseNormal human beings naturally desire for others what they desire for themselves.
claimAesthetic experience is of indirect moral value.
Art can be put to perverse and immoral use as well as healthy and good use.