ABSTRACT

The essays in this volume provide new readings of Kant’s account of human nature.

Despite the relevance of human nature to Kant’s philosophy, little attention has been paid to the fact that the question about human nature originally pertains to pure reason. The chapters in this volume show that Kant’s point is not to state once and for all what the human being actually is, but to unite pure reason’s efforts within a unitary teleological perspective. The question about human nature is the cornerstone of reason’s unity in its different activities and domains. Kant’s question about human nature goes beyond our empirical inquiries to show that the notion of humanity represents the point of convergence and unity of pure reason’s most fundamental interests.

Kant on Freedom and Human Nature will appeal to scholars and advanced students working on Kant’s philosophy.

chapter |10 pages

Introduction

Human Freedom and Human Nature

part I|82 pages

The Legislation of the Realm of Freedom

chapter 121|17 pages

Freedom Within Nature

chapter 3|14 pages

What Is Humanity?

chapter 5|16 pages

Putting Freedom First

Some Reflections on Paul Guyer's Interpretation of Kant's Moral Theory

part II|58 pages

The Legislation of the Realm of Nature

part III|81 pages

Bridging the Gulf between the Realms of Nature and Freedom

chapter 11|19 pages

Mendelssohn and Kant on Human Progress

A Neo-Stoic Debate

chapter 12|23 pages

Aesthetic Subjectivity in Ugly Matters

A Comparison Between Kant and Mendelssohn

chapter |26 pages

Postscript

Kant on Freedom and Human Nature: Responses