Revolution of Society and State by Esthetic Education? Schiller's Letters on the Esthetic Education of Mankind (1795)

Abstract

Schiller's Letters on the Esthetic Education of Mankind (1795) are examined as an answer to the French Revolution. In addition, further writings of Schiller are viewed (Don Carlos, 1787; History of the Secession of the United Netherlands from the Spanish Rule, 1788; Kallias-Letters, 1792–1793). The question whether political freedom can be achieved by esthetic education examines the relation between education and state. To answer this question, the criticism put forward early by Nicolai (1796) and later repeated by v. Hentig (1993) which implies that Schiller rather overestimates esthetic education is discussed Furthermore, the accusations of Mollenhauer (1990), Lenzen (1990) and Mattenklott (1990), stating that Schiller wants to make human bangs into adequate citizens of his state by esthetic education, are examined The author follows the question whether political freedom can be achieved by esthetic education in three steps:

1)	The ‘political problem’: Schiller's criticism of state and society;
2)	Esthetic education as a way of solving the ‘political problem’?
3)	Beauty as a way to freedom and perfection?

Some reflections on the Utopian character of this esthetic state and on his role in a reform of state and society finish this examination of Schiller's theory of a reform by esthetic education.