The philosophical journal Zeitschrift für Philosophie und philosophische Kritik served as a primary platform for scholarly discourse under the editorial guidance of Hermann Ulrici starting in 1847. Throughout his career in Germany, he balanced a rigorous academic schedule with extensive literary and historical scholarship, most notably in the specialized field of Shakespearean criticism and textual analysis.
Academic Trajectory
Born in 1806, Ulrici initially pursued legal studies but pivoted toward philosophy, science, and literature following the death of his father. He completed his education at the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. By 1834, he secured a professorship at the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, an institution where he remained active for the duration of his professional life until his death in 1884. His work was also recognized by the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei and through his involvement with the Corps Saxonia Halle.
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Ulrici established his reputation by challenging the prevailing Hegelian idealism of his era. In his 1841 publication, Ueber Princip und Methode der Hegelschen Philosophie, he presented a critical examination of the Hegelian system. He argued against the identity of being and thought, advocating instead for a theistic realism where idealism and realism functioned as distinct but complementary frameworks. This shift toward theism informed his later efforts to defend the existence of God and the soul against contemporary materialistic trends.
Literary and Theoretical Contributions
Beyond pure philosophy, Ulrici produced a significant body of work in aesthetics and history. His 1839 treatise, Ueber Shakspeare's dramatische Kunst, became a staple of Shakespearean studies, receiving multiple editions and English translations by A.J.W. Morrison and L.D. Schmitz. He also experimented with creative writing, publishing two volumes of novellas under the pseudonym Ulrich Reimann in 1833. His later intellectual output, including works like Gott und die Natur and Gott und der Mensch, sought to bridge the gap between speculative philosophy and emerging scientific inquiry.
Fast facts
- Born: 1806, Brody
- Died: 1884, Halle (Saale)
- Alma Mater: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
- Employer: Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg
- Pseudonym: Ulrich Reimann
- Key Interest: Shakespeare studies
- Journal Role: Co-editor, Zeitschrift für Philosophie und philosophische Kritik
Questions readers ask
What was Hermann Ulrici's main philosophical project?
He sought to replace Hegelian rationalism with a theistic system that acknowledged the truth of realism.
Did Ulrici write about Shakespeare?
Yes, he authored Ueber Shakspeare's dramatische Kunst, which was translated into English in 1846 and 1876.
What pseudonym did he use?
He wrote under the name Ulrich Reimann, notably for his 1833 collection of novellas.
Achievements
- Held posts at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg
- Fields: philosophy, aesthetics and Shakespeare studies
