Episode 24: Schelling’s Clara: Co...

Episode 24: Schelling’s Clara: Conversations on the Absolute.

Critique of the Podcast Form by Critical Theory Working Group
E24
Jul 23, 2026
01:20:52

Episode notes

For episode 24 and part 2 in our Schelling series, James is joined by Imogen and Nora to discuss one of Schelling's unfinished works: Clara, or On Nature's Connection to the Spirit World. After situating the text within Schelling's wider oeuvre and patiently clearing the author from accusations of dark magic, we ruminate on its themes of resurrection, transmigration, the singularity of the soul and the magnificence of beavers. Putting Schelling in discussion with Kant, Fichte, Hegel, Freud, Mao, Bordiga and Kazuo Ishiguro we ask the ultimate question: can Naturphilosophie mourn?

Keywords

critical theory
Philosophy
Hegel
Schelling
German Idealism
Nature Philosophy
Grieving
Mourning and melancholia
Clara, or, On nature's connection to the spirit world