Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph von (ˈfriːdrɪç ˈvɪlhɛlm ˈjoːzɛf fɔn). 1775--1854, German philosopher. He expanded Fichte's idea that there is one reality, the infinite and absolute Ego, by regarding nature as an absolute being working towards self-consciousness. His works include Ideas towards a Philosophy of Nature (1797) and System of Transcendental Idealism (1800)