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“Aesthetic Self-Consciousness” in Schelling’s Philosophy of Art
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Ghazaleh Rezaei *   , Mohamadreza Abolghassemi |
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Abstract: (2 Views) |
Art holds significant philosophical importance in Schelling’s idealistic thought. This article aims to clarify this significance by exploring Schelling’s middle philosophy, particularly the Philosophy of Nature. To understand the role of art in his philosophical framework, it is essential to grasp Schelling’s distinctive perspective on nature. He views art as the intersection of natural necessity and the freedom of the artist’s creativity, creating a unique blend of matter and meaning. According to Schelling, nature becomes self-aware through the artist’s genius and the resulting work of art. The artist’s subjectivity transcends itself by merging with the material of nature, achieving unity with the world. Consequently, a work of art embodies the fusion of finite material nature and infinite spiritual subjectivity. Schelling articulates this integration of mind and object through the concept of the Philosophy of Identity, positioning art as the highest expression of this identity. His perspective on art reaches its zenith during the middle period of his philosophical development, particularly in his work The System of Transcendental Idealism. In this text, he asserts that art surpasses philosophy, as philosophy engages only with concepts, whereas art combines matter and ideas, making it a more complete form of expression. This aesthetic perfection provides a platform for the manifestation of the Absolute. Our discussions lead to the conclusion that the stylistic evolution of art throughout history can be understood through shifts in how the Absolute is represented in art. The Absolute, in its quest for self-consciousness, seeks to reflect its image in the mirror of art, which integrates both material and meaning. Additionally, individuals become aware of their own subjectivity in the reflective space of art, realizing that this subjectivity is neither separate from nature nor fundamentally different from it. Instead, subjectivity represents various manifestations of the Absolute, reaching self-consciousness through artistic expression. |
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| Keywords: Schelling, art, transcendental idealism, philosophy of identity, the Absolute |
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Full-Text [PDF 444 kb]
(2 Downloads)
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Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2025/10/22 | Accepted: 2026/06/8
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