Via ad veritatem

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Nikolaus Hieronymus Gundling (1671-1729), a disciple of Thomasius, significantly enriched the philosophical discourse of the early Enlightenment through both academic and journalistic contributions. He championed freedom of opinion as a progressive ideal, asserting that his provocative reviews were never personally offensive. His learned yet entertaining style made his lectures as a Professor of Philosophy, Rhetoric, and Law at Halle immensely popular, leading to a surge of published lecture notes long after his death. Gundling’s three-volume textbook, "Via ad Veritatem" (1713-1715), explores logic, ethics, and natural law, integrating Thomasian philosophy, including the Hippocratic theory of temperaments, while also referencing thinkers like Locke and Hobbes. The posthumously published "Philosophische Discourse" (1739-1740) provides a thorough insight into his lecturing methods, showcasing how he intertwined excerpts from his textbooks and essays with his extensive historical knowledge.