“Where Reason – Grasps itself”. Caroline Michaelis and the Birth of German Idealism

This essay explores the philosophical impact of the most discussed female icon of German Romanticism, Caroline Michaelis. I argue that Michaelis was not a mere observer of key moments in the birth of German idealism. She rather had her own individual take on main issues, and could stand as a true interlocutor, in particular, for Schelling. I also argue that Michaelis’ approach to philosophy was in itself an act of rebellion against the role generally assigned to women in her time.