Tradition and revelation in F.J. Molitor’s philosophy of history
Philosophy Journal April 2, 2026 Konstantin Yu. Burmistrov
Franz Joseph Molitor, a German philosopher and Hebraist, attempted to create a holistic doctrine of the historical process by blending Schelling's philosophy with concepts from Jewish mysticism (Kabbalah). He viewed human history as part of a universal sacred history centered on revelation as a continuous process. Molitor argued that scientific study of history is possible through a reliable tradition preserved most purely in Kabbalah. He rethought Christianity and Judaism's place in history, contending that Christian theology cannot achieve its goals without serious engagement with Jewish mystical tradition. The article includes a biography, a Russian translation of Molitor's book, and translations of letters.