In the history of philosophy, Fichte's thought marks a crucial transitional stage between Kant and post-Kantian philosophy. Fichte radicalized Kant's thought by arguing that human freedom, not external reality, must be the starting point of all systematic philosophy, and in Foundations of Natural Right, thought by many to be his most important work of political philosophy, he applies his ideas to fundamental issues in political and legal philosophy, covering such topics as civic freedom, rights, private property, contracts, family relations, and the foundations of modern political organization. This volume offers the first complete translation of the work into English, by Michael Baur, together with an introduction by Frederick Neuhouser that sets it in its philosophical and historical context.

Table of Contents

Introduction; Chronology; Further reading; Translator's note; Part I. Foundations of Natural Right, According to the Principles of the Wissenschaftslehre: 1. Introduction; 2. First main division: deduction of the concept of right; 3. Second main division: deduction of the applicability of the concept of right; 4. Third main division: systematic application of the concept of right; or the doctrine of right; Part II. Part II, Or Applied Natural Right: 5. First section of the doctrine of political right: concerning the civil contract; 6. Second section of the doctrine of political right: on civil legislation; 7. Third section of the doctrine of political right: on the constitution; Outline of family right (first appendix to the doctrine of natural right); Outline of the right of nations and cosmopolitan right (second appendix to the doctrine of natural right); Index.