ABSTRACT
The paper sets out to reconstruct the most prominent debate on the relation between subjectivity and nature in German Idealism, taking place between Fichte and Schelling in 1800. In doing so, the systematic concern is to unravel the immense difficulties in conceptualizing a unity between subjectivity and nature which is neither reductionist nor irreconcilably dualistic. These difficulties shall come to light first and foremost by reconstructing six different models Schelling puts forward for relating subjectivity and nature in his writings 1797–1800. Based on this variety of options, the paper will turn to the actual debate, first reconstructing Fichte's systematic and transcendental arguments against Schelling's understanding of nature, and finally evaluating the latter's attempts to resolve the matter.
