Background
Christian August Crusius was born on the 10th of January, 1715 in Leuna, Germany.
Christian August Crusius was born on the 10th of January, 1715 in Leuna, Germany.
Christian August Crusius was educated at the University of Leipzig.
Christian August Crusius became professor of theology there in 1750, and principal in 1773. He attacked it mainly on the grounds of the moral evils that must flow from any system of determinism, and attempted to vindicate the freedom of the will. The most important works of this period of his life are Anweisung, vernünftig zu leben (1744), Entwurf der nothwendigen Vernunftwahrheiten wiefern sie den zufälligen entgegengesetzt werden (1745), Weg zur Gewissheit und Zuverlässigkeit der menschlichen Erkenntniss (1747), and Anleitung, über natürliche Begebenheiten ordentlich und vorsichtig nachzudenken (1749). Crusius' philosophical books had a great but short-lived popularity.
Christian August Crusius' criticism of Wolff influenced Immanuel Kant at the time when his system was forming. And his ethical, as well as epistemological, doctrines are cited in the inaugural dissertation and Critique of Practical Reason. Kant "was deeply influenced by Crusius" and owned Anweisung, Entwurf, and Anleitung.
Crusius's later life was devoted to theology. The two professors adopted opposite methods of exegesis. Ernesti wished to subject the Scripture in the same way as other ancient books.
Christian August Crusius challenged the then dominant the Leibniz-Volfova system and tried to connect epistemological rationalism and pietism in matters of practical philosophy.
