Johann Christian Brandes’ Interpretation and Reception of Freemason Philosophy

抄録

This paper examines Johann Christian Brandes (1735–1799), a prominent actor and playwright in the German Enlightenment. Drawing on his theatrical memoir (1799–1800) and his comedy Die Erbschaft (The Inheritance, 1781), this study explores the influence of Freemasonry on his thoughts. Situated within the context of the Enlightenment’s expansion, it highlights how Masonic philosophy and participation in associational networks empowered him to construct a philanthropic worldview. Brandes embraced Freemasonry’s interdenominational, human-centered moral framework, combining spiritual self-cultivation with practical education. In Die Erbschaft, the Masonic hero embodies human love and tolerance through brotherhood, thereby emphasizing the charity, rehabilitation, and ethical potential of human society.