Garlieb Merkel’s political thought: a Baltic perspective on enlightenment
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Garlieb Merkel (1769–1850) on üks Balti valgustuse vastuolulisemaid autoreid, kelle teosed on alates nende avaldamisest saatnud terav poleemika. Kriitikud leiavad, et Merkel oli võimetu arvestama mõne regiooni või ajaloolise situatsiooni eripärasid, samas kui teised kiidavad teda visionäärina, kes ühendas lahendusi otsides varem eraldi käsitletud teemad. Antud töö eesmärgiks on analüüsida Merkeli poliitilisi visioone ja filosoofilisi ideid nende loomise kontekstis, et tema arvamusavaldusi ja kavatsusi paremini mõista. Doktoritöö näitab, kuidas Merkel proovis näidata teed inimese täiustumise suunas otsides ühisosa universaalsete väärtuste, üldkehtivate seaduspärade ning konkreetsest olukorrast lähtuvate eripärade vahel. Lähema vaatluse all on viisid, kuidas Merkel end oma lugejatele esitles, kuid ka seni varju jäänud ebaõnnestunud katsed kirjutada „inimsuse ja inimkonna ajalugu.“ Eraldi tähelepanu on pööratud Merkeli käsitlusele revolutsioonist ja progressist, aga ka tema Balti pärisorjuse kriitika kahele tuumõistele: alglepingule ehk iga poliitilise ühenduse alusele ning ühishüvele, mis peaks olema toimiva ühiskonna eesmärk. Dissertatsioon rekonstrueerib Merkeli kriitika Balti rahvavalgustusele ning eestlaste ja lätlaste saksastamisele. Töö analüüsib seda, kuidas Merkeli suhestus Euroopas toimuvate debattidega imperialismist, inimõigustest ja ühiskondlikust sidususest ning tema idee seoseid Johann Gottfried Herderi, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, David Hume’i ja teiste Euroopa valgustusfilosoofide ideedega. Töö uurib ka Merkeli arusaama Euroopast, sealhulgas Venemaast, tema põhjuseid vastanduda Napoleonile ning arusaama Euroopast pärast Viini kongressi.
Garlieb Merkel (1769–1850) is one of the most controversial authors of the Baltic Enlightenment. Ever since his works were published, they have caused polemics. Critics have argued that Merkel failed to grasp the particularities of certain regions or historical situations, while others have praised him as a visionary integrating previously distinct topics to devise solutions. This dissertation analyzes Merkel’s political visions and philosophical ideas in the context of their creation to better understand his opinions and intentions. It shows that Merkel sought to promote human perfectibility by seeking common ground between universal values, general laws, and nuances of a specific context. The focus is not only on the ways Merkel presented himself to his readers (his professional persona) but also on his failed, and largely forgotten, attempts to write a “history of humanity and humankind.” Special attention is given to Merkel’s theories of revolution and progress, as well as his critique of Baltic serfdom, which emphasized the original contract underlying every polity and the common good as the goal of all functioning societies. Furthermore, the dissertation reconstructs Merkel’s critique of the Baltic Popular Enlightenment and the Germanization of Estonians and Latvians after the abolition of serfdom. It discusses Merkel’s relationship to the debates in Europe about imperialism, human rights, and how to support social cohesion, as well as how his ideas were connected with those of Johann Gottfried Herder, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, David Hume, and other European Enlightenment philosophers. Lastly, Merkel’s view of Europe, including Russia; his reasons for opposing Napoleon; and his understanding of Europe after the Congress of Vienna are examined.
Garlieb Merkel (1769–1850) is one of the most controversial authors of the Baltic Enlightenment. Ever since his works were published, they have caused polemics. Critics have argued that Merkel failed to grasp the particularities of certain regions or historical situations, while others have praised him as a visionary integrating previously distinct topics to devise solutions. This dissertation analyzes Merkel’s political visions and philosophical ideas in the context of their creation to better understand his opinions and intentions. It shows that Merkel sought to promote human perfectibility by seeking common ground between universal values, general laws, and nuances of a specific context. The focus is not only on the ways Merkel presented himself to his readers (his professional persona) but also on his failed, and largely forgotten, attempts to write a “history of humanity and humankind.” Special attention is given to Merkel’s theories of revolution and progress, as well as his critique of Baltic serfdom, which emphasized the original contract underlying every polity and the common good as the goal of all functioning societies. Furthermore, the dissertation reconstructs Merkel’s critique of the Baltic Popular Enlightenment and the Germanization of Estonians and Latvians after the abolition of serfdom. It discusses Merkel’s relationship to the debates in Europe about imperialism, human rights, and how to support social cohesion, as well as how his ideas were connected with those of Johann Gottfried Herder, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, David Hume, and other European Enlightenment philosophers. Lastly, Merkel’s view of Europe, including Russia; his reasons for opposing Napoleon; and his understanding of Europe after the Congress of Vienna are examined.
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