Constructions of Reason
Explorations of Kant's Practical Philosophy

This book traces the alleged incoherences to attempts to assimilate Kant's ethical writings to modern conceptions of rationality, actions and rights.

Onora O'Neill (Author)

9780521388160, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 26 January 1990

264 pages
22.8 x 15.2 x 1.9 cm, 0.435 kg

"Constructions of Reason is rewarding reading." Review of Metaphysics

Two centuries after they were published, Kant's ethical writings are as much admired and imitated as they have ever been, yet serious and long-standing accusations of internal incoherence remain unresolved. Onora O'Neill traces the alleged incoherences to attempt to assimilate Kant's ethical writings to modern conceptions of rationality, action and rights. When the temptation to assimilate is resisted, a strikingly different and more cohesive account of reason and morality emerges. Kant offers a `constructivist' vindication of reason and a moral vision in which obligations are prior to rights and in which justice and virtue are linked. O'Neill begins by reconsidering Kant's conceptions of philosophical method, reason, freedom, automony and action. She then moves on to the more familiar terrain of interpretation of the Categorical Imperative, while in the last section she emphasises differences between Kant's ethics and recent 'Kantian' ethics, including the work of John Rawls and other contemporary liberal political philosophers. This reassessment will add significantly to the understanding of Kantian practical philosophy.

Part I. Reason and Critique: 1. Reason and politics in the Kantian enterprise
2. The public use of reason
3. Reason and autonomy in Grundlegung III
4. Action, anthropology and autonomy
Part II. Maxims and Obligations: 5. Consistency in action
6. Between consenting adults
7. Universal laws and ends in themselves
8. Kant after virtue
Part III. Kant's Ethics and Kantian Ethics: 9. The power of example
10. Children's rights and children's lives
11. Constructivisms in ethics
12. The great maxims of justice and charity
Reference
Index.

Subject Areas: Ethics & moral philosophy [HPQ]