Fichte's Reception of Kant in his Early Political Philosophy

This paper focusess on the interrelationship between Fichte's early political philosophy, especially in the Foundations of Natural Right, and Kant's political thought. Particular attention will be given to those passages where Fichte tends directly to Kant's ideas. The paper will seek to assess the extent to which Fichte regards himself as a disciple of Kant or seeking to extend Kant's insights in other directions. The paper will seek to bring out the common ground and the points of divergence. One of the main points of divergence concerns the connection between ethics and right, and within the accounts of citizenship Fichte's appeal to an Ephorate is a major point of tension. Finally the paper will seek to determine whether Fichte adds further insight to Kant's position or departs fundamentally from it