Lotze's conception of the self

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Boston UniversityThe purpose of this dissertation is to expound Hermann Lotze's (1817-1881) conception of the self, and to evaluate it in the light of subsequent scientific developments which are relevant to it. This particular line of criticism is important because of the heavy reliance Lotze placed upon the scientific results of his own day. Lotze's work in its entirety is considered and his relation to his philosophic forebears and descendants is dealt with in general terms, but detailed treatment is attempted only in the restricted area indicated. Lotze was trained in both medicine and philosophy at Leipzig and, save for one year of medical practice, spent his entire career in university teaching. Although his interests moved more and more in the direction of philosophy his background enabled him in unique degree to combine scientific results with philosophic traditions. Thus he was able to make an important contribution to impirical method in philosophy. He held that philosophy should be a coherent interpretation of aesthetic, moral, religious, and sense experience