[Born at Leonberg, in Germany, 1775. Still living.]
At Leipzig, where he studied medicine and philosophy, became the pupil
of Fichte. Afterwards filled Fichte’s vacant Chair at Jena, where he
lectured with great success. Continued in Bavaria until 1842, when he
was invited by the King of Prussia to Berlin. Is still there, occupying
as lecturer the philosophical Chair once held by Hegel. Is often styled
the German Plato. It has been suggested that he should rather be called
the German Plotinus. Schelling proclaims the incapacity of reason to
solve the problems of philosophy, and calls in the aid of a higher
faculty--“intellectual intuition.” He is the founder of a new school of
scientific thinkers, called the _Nature Philosophers_, of whom Oken is
the most illustrious example. He treats Newton’s speculations upon light
with disdain, although they have led to many practical discoveries.
Schelling’s views on light and philosophy, generally, will probably lead
to little more than endless disputation. His works, nevertheless,
indicate a vivid imagination conjoined with, subtle dialectics.
Coleridge, in his philosophical writings, has often adopted and adapted
the ideas of Schelling. In many respects, Schelling’s head and face
resemble those of Socrates.
[By J. Halbig. Marble. 1852. The original is in the Royal Palace at
Munich. It was executed by order of King Maximilian II.]