The publication of "Über den Ursprung der menschlichen Seelen" in 1854 secured Jakob Frohschammer a professorship in philosophy at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München. This work challenged the traditional Catholic view of the soul, proposing that both body and mind were subject to the laws of heredity rather than originating from a singular, special creative act at each instance.
Ecclesiastical Conflict and Academic Tenure
Born in 1821 in Barbing, Frohschammer was initially prepared for the Catholic priesthood. After attending the Ducal Georgianum and Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, he was ordained in 1847. His academic journey began with "Beiträge zur Kirchengeschichte" in 1850, which earned an entry on the Index Expurgatorius. His subsequent move to the philosophy faculty in 1855, driven by his work on the human soul, placed him in direct opposition to Church authorities who demanded unquestioning obedience.
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Frohschammer actively campaigned for the freedom of scientific pursuit, most notably in his 1861 publication "Über die Freiheit der Wissenschaft." He argued that philosophy should not function as a subservient tool of theology. This stance, along with his public critique of Church authority, led to a formal denunciation by the papacy in 1862. Despite this, he retained the support of the Bavarian king and his students in Munich.
Liberal Catholicism and Evolutionary Thought
In 1862, he founded the periodical "Athenäum" to promote Liberal Catholicism. Following his excommunication in 1871, he became a prolific critic of the doctrine of papal infallibility, authoring pamphlets like "Der Fels Petri in Rom" and "Das Christenthum Christi und das Christenthum des Papstes."
Later Philosophical Systems
During his later career, Frohschammer developed a system centered on the concept of imagination, or "Phantasie," as an objective creative force in nature. Major works from this period included "Die Phantasie als Grundprincip des Weltprocesses" in 1877 and "System der Philosophie im Umriss" in 1892. He remained active in Munich until his death in 1893 in Kreuth.
Fast facts
- Born: 1821, Barbing
- Died: 1893, Kreuth
- Citizenship: Kingdom of Bavaria
- Primary Employer: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
- Field of Study: Philosophy and Theology
- Notable 1854 work: Über den Ursprung der menschlichen Seelen
- Excommunication: 1871
Questions readers ask
Why was Jakob Frohschammer excommunicated?
He was excommunicated in 1871 due to his persistent defense of scientific independence and his public opposition to Church dogma, specifically regarding papal infallibility.
What was the core concept of his philosophical system?
His system was based on the unifying principle of imagination, which he viewed as both an objective creative force in nature and a subjective mental phenomenon.
Achievements
- Held posts at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
- Fields: philosophy and theology
