that the essential features of religion relate to the‘practical know-
ledge’of the benevolent ruler of everything, to morality and virtue as
well as to the continuous life of thinking beings. Notably, practical
knowledge involves not only thinking but also attitude (Gesinnung)
and character (Charakter). The concept of recognition (Anerken-
nung), however, is only mentioned in the second part of the essay.
The phrases‘practical recognition’and‘practical knowledge’bear
some resemblance to Immanuel Kant, but they also allude to the
idea of‘practical apprehension’employed by König and Lutheran
orthodoxy. As Beutel notes, both König and Kant are relevant for
Spalding’s biography.^74
In thefirst pages of the second part, Spalding speaks of‘confessing’
(bekennen) the religion.^75 He says that one can add the proper
attitude to the confession; this leads to the ‘recognition’quoted
above.^76 The content of a true religion is rather explained in terms
of the essential features of thefirst part of the essay than in terms of
any written confession. Jesus is recognized as the best representative
of this true religion.
The wordAnerkennungalso appears once in the eleventh edition
(1794) of Spalding’s bestselling workDie Bestimmung des Menschen,
a title later used by Fichte. Here he considers that he needs to
recognize his relationship to the highest being as a goal of his
human nature.^77 The earlier editions of this work contain many of
the basic ideas explained in the book of 1797, although without using
the term recognition.^78
In terms of its content, Spalding’s studyReligion, eine Angelegen-
heit des Menschenis an extension of thefirst part of the essay of 1794.
The larger study of 1797 does not deal with Jesus Christ or confes-
sions, focusing on religion in general. Using the German wordAnge-
legenheitSpalding conveys the idea of personal relevance, asking
whether religion can in his days offer people something that has
primary relevance for their everyday lives.^79 He considers that all
people have two‘instincts’(Trieb)or‘basic emotions’(Grundgefühl)
which have fundamental religious relevance. Thefirst of these is the
instinct for well-being or happiness^80 and the second the emotion of
(^74) Beutel 2014, 23–5, 48, 286. (^75) Von dem Wesentlichen, 394.
(^76) Von dem Wesentlichen, 396. (^77) Bestimmung, 163.
(^78) Kritische Ausgabe1 (Tübingen 2006) offers a synopsis of all editions.
(^79) Religion,9–10. (^80) Religion,15–16.
The Modern Era 129