
In this compelling collection of early‑19th‑century speeches, a thinker expands the lectures he once delivered to a university audience, turning them into a sweeping meditation on the nature of an age dominated by pure self‑interest. He argues that our present era represents a decisive third phase of world history, in which the drive for personal gain has come to define every action, and he probes how that very impulse might ultimately undermine itself.
The orator then turns his gaze toward the German lands, urging listeners to look beyond regional rivalries and imagine a unified cultural spirit. He describes a recent turning point—where selfish ambition has reached its limits and been shattered by external forces—and suggests that a new, collective world could emerge if the nation embraces a shared purpose.
Rich in philosophical insight and historical observation, the work invites anyone fascinated by the interplay of ideas, politics, and identity to hear a voice that still resonates with questions about how societies define themselves and move forward.
Language
de
Duration
~8 hours (496K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Norbert H. Langkau, G. Decknatel and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2015-02-22
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1762–1814
A bold voice in German idealism, he pushed Kant’s ideas in a more personal and activist direction and became known for arguing that freedom and self-consciousness stand at the center of philosophy. His work helped shape modern debates about the self, moral duty, education, and the nation.
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