Irrationalismus

Irrationalismus, a term used by many German critics and historians of literature. Introduced in the early 20th c., it acquired wide circulation in German studies through the works of H. A. Korff, who established the antithesis Rationalismus/Irrationalismus in Der Geist der Goethezeit (1923-50). It has the terminological drawback of stating only what it is not, i.e. Rationalismus. Irrationalismus is mainly useful as a blanket term covering many manifestations of the human spirit, including emotion, atmosphere (Stimmung), mystery, magic, awe, reverence, revealed religion, pantheistic yearnings, the numinous, enthusiasm, exaltation, the uncanny, the horrifying, and hallucination.

The term has been chiefly used in connection with the Sturm und Drang, the Romantic movement (see Romantik), and Expressionism (see Expressionismus).