The letter is particulary lethal in the Wissenschaftslehre

Abstract

It is striking to notice that Fichte intended the first written version of his Doctrine of Science (1794-95) “for his listeners,” namely for the students of the University of Jena where he had just taken up his post. Fichte has in fact always believed that the ‘letter’ of the scientific exposition of his philosophy should come along with an oral explanation, thereby establishing a direct contact with his audience in order to avoid misunderstandings. Throughout his career, he has been suspicious of the “written” word and this attitude explains at least in part the disagreement that took place between him and Schiller concerning the article “on the spirit and the letter in philosophy.” With Fichte, these two terms take a special meaning that illustrates, in an enlightening manner, the way he envisages transcendental philosophy and its mode of transmission.