`This intriguing book will serve as a stimulant to further engagement with Schelling. ... written with challenging verve, ...' - Religious Studies'I know of no other work which provides a more complete and authoritative introduction to Schelling.' - Manfred Frank, University of Tubingen'Bowie's treatment of both nineteenth century German thought and of contemporary European and analytic styles of philosophy is consistently lucid ... I find the volume admirable in that it is philosophical and argumentative throughout' - Michael Vater, Marquetter University'This is a lively and compelling text, which brings a major 'forgotten' figure of the continental philosohpical tradition right into the heart of contemoporary debates. I think it could play an important role in changing the way in which the contours of this tradition are usually mapped in the English-speaking world' - Peter Dews, University of Essex

• INTRODUCTION Situating Schelling, Metaphor and metaphysics, Stages in Schelling’s philosophy 1 ABSOLUTE BEGINNINGS 2 THE HERMENEUTICS OF NATURE 3 THE HISTORY OF CONSCIOUSNESS AND THE TRUTH OF ART 4 IDENTITY PHILOSOPHY 5 FREEDOM, ONTOLOGY AND LANGUAGE 6 SCHELLING OR HEGEL?

`This intriguing book will serve as a stimulant to further engagement with Schelling. ... written with challenging verve, ...' - Religious Studies'I know of no other work which provides a more complete and authoritative introduction to Schelling.' - Manfred Frank, University of Tubingen'Bowie's treatment of both nineteenth century German thought and of contemporary European and analytic styles of philosophy is consistently lucid ... I find the volume admirable in that it is philosophical and argumentative throughout' - Michael Vater, Marquetter University'This is a lively and compelling text, which brings a major 'forgotten' figure of the continental philosohpical tradition right into the heart of contemoporary debates. I think it could play an important role in changing the way in which the contours of this tradition are usually mapped in the English-speaking world' - Peter Dews, University of Essex

• INTRODUCTION Situating Schelling, Metaphor and metaphysics, Stages in Schelling’s philosophy 1 ABSOLUTE BEGINNINGS 2 THE HERMENEUTICS OF NATURE 3 THE HISTORY OF CONSCIOUSNESS AND THE TRUTH OF ART 4 IDENTITY PHILOSOPHY 5 FREEDOM, ONTOLOGY AND LANGUAGE 6 SCHELLING OR HEGEL?

`This intriguing book will serve as a stimulant to further engagement with Schelling. ... written with challenging verve, ...' - Religious Studies'I know of no other work which provides a more complete and authoritative introduction to Schelling.' - Manfred Frank, University of Tubingen'Bowie's treatment of both nineteenth century German thought and of contemporary European and analytic styles of philosophy is consistently lucid ... I find the volume admirable in that it is philosophical and argumentative throughout' - Michael Vater, Marquetter University'This is a lively and compelling text, which brings a major 'forgotten' figure of the continental philosohpical tradition right into the heart of contemoporary debates. I think it could play an important role in changing the way in which the contours of this tradition are usually mapped in the English-speaking world' - Peter Dews, University of Essex

• INTRODUCTION Situating Schelling, Metaphor and metaphysics, Stages in Schelling’s philosophy 1 ABSOLUTE BEGINNINGS 2 THE HERMENEUTICS OF NATURE 3 THE HISTORY OF CONSCIOUSNESS AND THE TRUTH OF ART 4 IDENTITY PHILOSOPHY 5 FREEDOM, ONTOLOGY AND LANGUAGE 6 SCHELLING OR HEGEL?