Nicolai Hartmann and recent realisms

Keith R. Peterson

Keith Peterson

pp. 161-174

in: Nicolai Hartmann, Axiomathes 27 (2), 2017.

Abstract

Some contemporary philosophers have called for a "new realism" in philosophical ontology. Hartmann's works provide some of the richest resources upon which recent realists might draw for both inspiration and argument. In this brief exploration I touch on some key concepts and arguments from a few of the players in this "ontological turn," including Meillassoux, Brassier, and Ferraris, and show how many of them were already clearly articulated in Hartmann's works. I'll also describe and comment on Hartmann's arguments concerning the "thing in itself," which he considers a key "critical" concept of his new ontology. His treatment of this issue demonstrates the sophistication—and, perhaps, superiority—of Hartmann's approach.