Grenze Versus Schranke/Open Form

The first part of the paper discusses the gradual emergence of the distinction between the German terms Schranke and Grenze in the history of European philosophy. Where Grenze tends to denote a distinction-relation between two terms, Schranke could be summarized as an absolute negation. These terms are discussed through Kant, Graham Priest, Hegel, Josef König, Helmuth Plessner, Frederik Buytendijk, and Richard Sennett. The second part of the paper discusses the concept of open form: boundlessness, free order, fluidity, and movement seem to be some of its characteristics. The discussion is developed from a comparison of Heinrich Wölfflin’s art history and Helmuth Plessner’s theory of the organisms and philosophical anthropology. Finally, the author examines the use of the concept of open form by Umberto Eco, Bruno Zevi and Richard Sennett.