Cohen, Hermann (1842-1918)

German-Jewish philosopher. He was a central neo-Kantian figure and the founder of modern critical idealism (the Marburg School). His philosophy moved from a serene, optimistic symbiosis with German thought to the classic statement The Religion of Reason out of the Sources of Judaism (1919), which summarized 19th-century thought.

Cohen was professor of philosopher at Marburg 1876-1912 and professor at Lehranstalt, the progressive Jewish seminary in Berlin, 1912-18. His Jewish successors were Leo Baeck, Franz Rosenzweig (1886-1929), and Martin Buber.