MODERN AND POSTMODERN CONCEPT OF REALITY: KANT AND BORGES ON EMANUEL SWEDENBORG Cover Image

MODERNI IR POSTMODERNI TIKROVĖS SAMPRATOS: KANTO IR BORGESO POŽIŪRIAI Į EMANUELĮ SWEDENBORGĄ
MODERN AND POSTMODERN CONCEPT OF REALITY: KANT AND BORGES ON EMANUEL SWEDENBORG

Author(s): Lina Vidauskytė
Subject(s): Language and Literature Studies, Literary Texts, Early Modern Philosophy, 19th Century Philosophy, Contemporary Philosophy, German Idealism
Published by: Vilniaus Universiteto Leidykla
Keywords: reality; experience; perception; modern; postmodern

Summary/Abstract: The article deals with two different interpretations of the “transcendental” experience of Swedish mystic Emanuel Swedenborg offered by Immanuel Kant and Jorge Luis Borges. From the beginning Swedenborgian experience was questionable. One of the first investigators of Swedenborg‘s texts was Immanuel Kant who strictly criticised the mystic. Kantian own “experience” is exposite in “Universe Theory according to Principles of Newton” (1755) and “Physical Geography” (1802). In a matter of principle Kantian “experience” has no different from experience of Swedenborg. Kant‘s standpoint to Swedish mystic is modern, i.e. the strongest criteria of the reality is a common sense. Contrary to this modern view is exposed postmodern attitude to visions and descriptions of spiritual world of Swedenborg. J. L. Borges represents such standpoint. Borges was influenced by the philosophy of George Berkeley. According to Borges there is no different between real reality and percepted reality.

  • Issue Year: 2007
  • Issue No: 72
  • Page Range: 214-223
  • Page Count: 10
  • Language: Lithuanian