Dreams of a Spirit-Seer

Dreams of a Spirit-Seer  (1766)  by Immanuel Kant, translated by Emanuel F. Goerwitz

Editor's Preface→

Original title: Träume eines Geistersehers (1766).

Translator's Note

The difficulties which Kant's style presents to the translator into English need not be dwelt upon with those who are familiar with his works. My main endeavour has been to produce a readable translation. I have, therefore, laid stress on the faithful and lucid representation of the author's thought, while the preservation of the periodic constructions of the original was of secondary interest. I am, however, conscious that I have not in all places succeeded in sailing with even keel between the extremes of strictly literal translation and paraphrase.

Emanuel F. Goerwitz.

Cambridge, Mass., U.S.A.,

July, 1899.

Contents

• The Editor's Preface
• Recent German Discussion of the Relation of Kant to Swedenborg

Dreams of a Spirit-Seer, Illustrated by Dreams of Metaphysics

• A Preface: Which promises very little for the Discussion
• Part First: Which is Dogmatic
  • Chapter First—A Complicated Metaphysical Knot, which can be untied or cut according to choice
  • Chapter Second—A Fragment of Secret Philosophy, Aiming to Establish Communion with the Spirit-World
  • Chapter Third—Antikabala: A Fragment of Common Philosophy, Aiming to Abolish Communion with the Spirit-World
  • Chapter Fourth—Theoretical Conclusions from the Whole of the Considerations of the First Part
• Part Second: Which is Historical
  • Chapter First—A Story, the Truth of which the Reader is Recommended to Investigate as He Likes
  • Chapter Second—A Dreamer's Ecstatic Journey through the World of Spirits
  • Chapter Third—Practical Conclusion from the Whole Treatise
• Editorial Notes
  • Appendix I.—Extracts from Swedenborg
  • Appendix II.—Kant's Letter on Swedenborg to Fräulein von Knobloch
  • Appendix III.—The Relative Priority of the Letter and the "Dreams."
  • Appendix IV.—Kant's Public and His Private Opinion of Swedenborg, in Extracts from His Letters to Moses Mendelssohn

This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published before January 1, 1923. It may be copyrighted outside the U.S. (see Help:Public domain).

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