An analysis of the Grundlinien (1877)
First of all Kapp placed the Grundlinien in the speciality of cultural history. From a new perspective in which techniques were the most important factor, he wanted to look at the historical development of human cultures. His main thesis was that techniques are – in some unconscious way – projections of human organs. Not only mechanical techniques like tools or machines, but also language, science and the state were techniques according to Kapp. An axe or scissors had to be interpreted as projections of the hand and fingers, the state e.g. as a projection of the human body. Eyes were projected in a daguerreotype and nerves in cables.
A projection according to Kapp: cable and nerve
His Grundlinien elaborated in many examples on the relation between the organs of the human body and the techniques which were developed during human history. For Kapp in 1877 human history was no longer regulated by biblical or religious facts, but found a starting point in the use of techniques. In this perspective Kapp was at hand with at that time still revolutionary implications of evolution-theories and paleontological discoveries. For this Kapp relied on the work of the philosophers Caspari (1841 – 1917) and Geiger (1829 – 1870), alongside of course on the work of the biologist Haeckel (1834 – 1919).
Human history was according to Ernst Kapp not a meaningless process. In line with longstanding metaphysical traditions Kapp supposed that in the course of history humanity would grow towards greater selfconsciousness. More specific he relied on the work of the physician Carus (1789 – 1869) and of his friend, the philosopher Von Hartmann (1842 – 1906). At that time Von Hartmann had a considerable success – though not in the scientific community - with his Philosophie des Unbewussten (1868/1869 – Philosophy of the Unconscious). Kapp contributed in an original way to these metaphysical orientations by stipulating and elaborating on the fact that techniques were a very important medium in this process of growing selfconsciousness. The unconscious was seen as the all embracing, creative and pan(en)theistic fundament of the universe. The human body served as an indicator for this ultimate reality. In this respect Kapp fitted in the tradition of philosophers and scientists like Feuerbach (1804 – 1872) and Von Baer (1792 – 1876) . Although humanity could learn a lot about itself through bodily or organic projections from the unconscious in techniques, Kapp supposed that there was more, which he labelled as das grosse Geheimnis des Lebens (the big secret of life). For his theory of projection he also had to put forward – which indeed he did – that the relation between human organs and techniques was a necessary one. For Kapp – or rather for the unconscious - there existed no chance and the development of techniques was until nowadays a long and inevitable process of metamorphoses of original and primitive techniques.
In the thirteen chapters of his Grundlinien Kapp worked out his theory on projection of organs in tools and other techniques. In line with his former geographical publications he appeared to be aware of the technological revolutions in the midst of which his life came about. In contrast with his former geographical publications – which were more or less grounded in a Hegelian tradition – Kapp had unconsciously made a switch towards a romantic frame of interpretation.
More:
Ernst Kapp - Introduction / Biographical and bibliographical notes on Ernst Kapp / A romantic philosophy of technology / A philosopher of the Industrial Society / Some literature on Ernst Kapp / About the author