The essays in this volume are based on the Royal Institute of Philosophy's annual lecture series for 1997–8. One underlying aim of the series was to show that German-speaking post-Kantian philosophers cannot be straightforwardly divided into those of an analytic bent and those of a metaphysical or idealist bent. The categories themselves will be anachronistic for many of the thinkers considered in this volume; in any case, hardly any admits of so simplistic a characterisation. As will be seen, themes and interests overlap and criss-cross in German philosophy throughout the two centuries since Kant, which may in itself cast doubt on the validity of any clear divide even to-day between ‘analytic’ and ‘continental’ philosophy.

In the main the essays are arranged in chronological order according to the philosophers considered, and the book concludes with two articles which take a longer view than those which concentrate on one, two or three figures.

In conclusion, I would like to thank all those who so generously contributed to both lecture series and book, especially Jürgen Habermas, whose contribution brings both to a fitting conclusion.