P r e f a c e .

In the effort to trace the more distant sources of the systems of Fichte, Schelling, and Hegel, I have been led back to the German mysticism of the 14th century. As soon as the figure of Master Eckhart Meister Eckhart (c. 1260–1328) was a German theologian, philosopher, and mystic whose work influenced later German philosophy. first appeared before me, it captivated me with irresistible force. An opportunity to share what I found in his work arose through a request from my friend Ueberweg, who included a section I had prepared on German mysticism in the second part of his work: "Outline of the History of Philosophy" in its 2nd and 3rd editions. However, precisely during the preparation of this section, it became clear to me that it would be useful to treat the subject more extensively. The more detailed presentations of Eckhart's doctrine by R. Heidrich (Posen, 1864) and by Joseph Bach (Vienna, 1864)—the only ones that had already utilized the material made accessible by Pfeiffer's 1857 edition—seemed to me insufficient for the task. Thus, I decided to make Master Eckhart the subject of a monograph. This narrowly defined task suited my temperament and my limited leisure; a certain spiritual kinship drew me toward the subject. Unless I overestimate Eckhart's significance too greatly, I may hope to have undertaken something useful.

My intention was to provide a contribution to the history of philosophical and religious thought in Germany and to bring the nation closer to one of its greatest sons. Eckhart appears to me as a true reflection of German character; his significance for the