The philosophical thought must precede the healthy advancement of all institutions of public life, as it reveals the true purposes more clearly on a larger scale and allows for a better overview of the conditions of mediation according to their necessary laws. Therefore, it should not be brought before the court of existing institutions, nor should it presume to decide, based on its general views, what can only be judged through historical knowledge and an understanding of the actual state of affairs in life. The philosopher Jakob Fries provides the reader with a comprehensive insight into the philosophical teachings of the 19th century in this work. A significant part of his discussions focuses on the doctrine of faith and the theory of beauty. This book is a reprint of the long out-of-print original edition.