Kant and the Naturalistic Turn of 18th Century Philosophy

Description

Kant's philosophy is usually treated according to 'internalist' textual methodology rather than contextually according to 'externalist' methodology. Kant and the Naturalistic Turn of 18th Century Philosophy presents transcendental idealism, the metaphysics of morals, and other Kantian innovations in philosophy as a reaction to 18th century developments in the life and human sciences. It interprets Kant's metaphysics as motivated by, on one hand, anxiety over the moral dangers he perceived in the empiricism of Buffon, Hume, Smith, and certain German materialists; and, on the other, his theological scepticism. Topics treated include cosmology and the fate of the earth, the mechanical philosophy and the problems of life, mind, and matter, historical pessimism, warfare and class consciousness, and the role of women in 18th century society. This book sheds new light on all major aspects of Kant's philosophy and opens avenues for further research. Contents Acknowledgements Introduction 1. Discoveries and Controversies 2. The Laws of Nature and the Origins of the World 3. The Background: Problems of Life and Matter 4. The Veil of Perception and Kant’s Transcendental Idealism 5. The ‘Physiologists’ and Material Minds 6. The Penchant for Determinism and Kant’s Response 7. Obligation and the Moral Sentiments 8. The Puzzles of Purposiveness 9. Kant on Humanity, Diversity, and Human Value 10. Civilization, Extinction, and Moral Effort 11. Futility and Transcendence: Kant’s Arguments of Hope Epilogue Editions Cited and Concordance of Translated Passages Bibliography Index of Names Index of Subjects