Models of the History of Philosophy by Gregorio Piaia & Giovanni Santinello

Author:Gregorio Piaia & Giovanni Santinello
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Springer Netherlands, Dordrecht

8.3 Franz Nikolaus Steinacher (1743–1788)

Grundriss der philosophischen Geschichte

8.3.1 Franz Nikolaus Steinacher was born in Neustadt am Saal (Lower Franconia) on 16th March, 1749. After his initial studies, he became a novice in the Society of Jesus in 1762. In 1766, he was admitted to the seminary in Würzburg, where he completed his studies in theology and philosophy. During his first year of theology (1772) he discussed and published some theses, but the suppression of the Society in 1773 interrupted his religious education. In the same year, he obtained the chair of philosophy at the University of Würzburg, and in this new role he published various works, among which is his Grundriss der philosophischen Geschichte. After teaching at the university for 8 years, he resigned and worked as a tutor for the noble De Greifenklau family. In 1787, he started to teach ecclesiastic history at the theology faculty in Würzburg which he continued to do until his death on 17th July, 1789.

8.3.2 Steinacher’s publications concern theological and philosophical topics. After the Theses ex theologia universa (Würzburg, 1772), he published the textbook we examine here: the Grundriss der philosophischen Geschichte (Würzburg: J. Stahel, Hochfürst. Hof- und Univ. Buchhandlung, 1774), of which there is also a second edition dated Würzburg, 1774, but actually published in 1785 without the author’s authorization, by the bookseller Jakob Stahel (as far as the latter is concerned, see Steinacher’s own clarification, which appeared in the Gothaischen Gelehrten Zeitungen, 1786, p. 344). These works were followed by a Commentatio academica de nexu historiae philosophicae cum scientiis (Würzburg, 1774); the Concordia doctrinae philosophorum de officiis hominìs erga se ipsum cum principiis religionis revelatae (Würzburg, 1774); the Elementa philosophiae rationalis (Würzburg, 1774); and the Elementa philosophiae universalis practicae (Würzburg, 1777). Finally, during his brief teaching period at the theology faculty, Steinacher published the Exempla stili Latini, ex poetis collecta (Würzburg, 1788).

8.3.3 Both Steinacher’s thought and his historiographical activity took their bearings from Wolff. In the Introduction to the Grundriss, Steinacher discusses the “worth of history” in general and the history of philosophy in particular, pointing out the advantages of the historiography of philosophy with regard to a knowledge of oneself, theoretical philosophy, and other branches of knowledge. History “still remains, despite all the hostility, a pleasant occupation for the human mind and an important part of culture”. In addressing his work to the pupils at the Seminary in Würzburg, he believes he can offer them “a gallery of pictures wherein they can truly glimpse human wisdom and folly, a play that amuses, yet teaches the intellect and moves the heart”. This is because, Steinacher continues, every century has looked up to philosophy and if “in our age the word ‘philosophical’ is so seductive that it is widely abused in all sectors of human knowledge”, then, “this abuse and the very zeal with which studies in the field of philosophy are carried out are clear proof of the high esteem in which this precious part of knowledge is held” (Grundriss, pp. 1, 3 and 5).

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