Provides an introduction to the philosophical movement that emerged in 1781, with the publication of Kant's monumental "Critique of Pure Reason", and ended fifty years later, with Hegel's death. This book examines some of the most important early criticisms of German Idealism and the philosophical alternatives to which they led.

1. Introduction: modernity, rationality and freedom 2. Kant: transcendental idealism 3. Skeptical challenges and the development of transcendental idealism 4. Fichte: toward a scientific and systematic idealism 5. Schelling: idealism and the absolute 6. Hegel: systematic philosophy without foundations 7. Conclusion: rationality, freedom, modernity? Questions for discussion and revision Further reading Index