“Wissenschaftslehre” and “ Staatslehre” in Fichte’s Late Works

The paper analyzes the structural unity between Wissenschaftslehre and Staatslehre in Fichte’s late works, emphasizing their convergence in a philosophical project that integrates speculative insight and political transformation. The multiplicity of expositions of the Wissenschaftslehre is interpreted as an essential feature of its identity, grounded in the dynamic self-manifestation of the Absolute through consciousness. Philosophical insight ( Einsicht ) becomes the medium through which theory is transfigured into life and action. The Staatslehre introduces Christ as the absolute historical fact that enables a shift from a pre-modern political theology based on miracles and coercion to a post-Christian order grounded in freedom and rational self-determination. Sovereignty, traditionally legitimized by revelation or contract, is reconfigured as the unfolding of transcendental intelligence within a community. The dissolution of theological–political authority culminates in a constitutional model in which reason itself governs. In this framework, the Wissenschaftslehre emerges as both speculative doctrine and political constitution, replacing faith with self-conscious insight as the foundation of political legitimacy.