In this article, the Author maintains that Fichte employs the concept of the image (Bild) in order
to formulate transcendental logic as a self-grounding, self-referential and recursive
thinking device. Fichte considers the image as the “absolute concept”, the “original
and primeval” concept, because it is the main generative element, the basis and the
“engine”, as it were, of transcendental logic. However, at least at first glance, the concept
of the image seems a little inadequate for developing a transcendental logic. In the
first place, one may reasonably argue that traditionally it has to do with aesthetics, not
logic. It seems rather odd to place it at the genetic foundational core of logic. Moreover,
also the reference to Kant’s doctrine of schematism, which should be mentioned
as one of the historical antecedents of Fichte’s Bildlehre, does not suffice to explain Fichte’s
particular understanding of the image, which differs from the widespread concept
of the image as regarding factual representations. On the contrary, Fichte’s Bildbegriff
is about the idea of a circular genetic-performative mutual dependence of
thinking and thought. Hence, the Author tries to answer three intertwined questions:
How can the image be conceived of as a logical concept and not an aesthetic one?
How can one justify the claim that the image is the generative concept of logic? How
can the concept of the image meet the requirements of apriority, self-reference and
self-foundation?
