Karl Christian Friedrich Krause

Karl Christian Friedrich Krause (6 May 1781 – 27 September 1832) was a German philosopher whose doctrines became known as Krausism. Krausism had a small following in Germany and other parts of Europe but became influential in Restoration Spain as a broad cultural movement rather than a complete philosophical system. Krause's philosophy is categorized as *Identitätsphilosophie*, emphasizing the fundamental identity of spirit and nature. He sought to reconcile the concepts of God known by faith and the world known by the senses, positing God as an all-inclusive essence that contains the universe. Krause coined the term 'panentheism' to describe his cosmotheological views, which synthesized elements of monotheism and pantheism. He argued that the universe is a divine organism and that progress leads to the identification of the world with God. Notably, Krause was an advocate for animal rights, arguing that non-human animals possess rights to well-being and protection from pain, and were persons whose rights should be legally protected. His influence was somewhat limited by his mystical writing style and invented terminology, but his ideas later impacted thinkers in Spain and Latin America.