Lotze and Windelband

This chapter explores the philosophical relationship between Rudolf Hermann Lotze and Wilhelm Windelband, highlighting Lotze’s influence on the Baden School of Neo-Kantianism. While Lotze is often regarded as a precursor to this movement, Windelband—one of its central figures—not only built upon but also critically reassessed his mentor’s philosophical framework. Lotze’s ideas shaped Windelband’s early intellectual development and remained a key reference throughout his career, ultimately contributing to the construction of a “Neo-Kantian” image of Lotze. This chapter argues that Windelband’s fundamental distinction between the critical and genetic methods emerged through his engagement with Lotze’s reflections on philosophical methodology. By examining both the continuities and tensions in their thought, this study sheds light on the complex process of intellectual mediation that connects Lotze and Windelband, offering deeper insights into their contributions to the Neo-Kantian tradition.