Freedom and Anthropology in Kant's Moral Philosophy

A comprehensive account of Kant's theory of freedom and his moral anthropology.

Patrick R. Frierson (Author)

9780521824002, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 21 July 2003

222 pages
23.6 x 16 x 1.9 cm, 0.5 kg

Review of the hardback: '… this book will be of considerable value to students of Kant's philosophy of religion… Much has been written on these topics in recent years, but Frierson managed to bring a fresh pair of eyes to them and to raise a series of penetrating questions about the interpretation and coherence of Kant's account.' Journal of Religious Studies

This book offers a comprehensive account of Kant's theory of freedom and his moral anthropology. The point of departure is the apparent conflict between three claims to which Kant is committed: that human beings are transcendentally free, that moral anthropology studies the empirical influences on human beings, and that more anthropology is morally relevant. Frierson shows why this conflict is only apparent. He draws on Kant's transcendental idealism and his theory of the will and describes how empirical influences can affect the empirical expression of one's will in a way that is morally significant but still consistent with Kant's concept of freedom. As a work which integrates Kant's anthropology with his philosophy as a whole, this book will be an unusually important source of study for all Kant scholars and advanced students of Kant.

Introduction: Kant's anthropology and Schleiermacher's dilemma
Part I. The Problem: 1. The asymmetry in Kant's conception of freedom
2. Anthropology as an empirical science
3. The moral significance of Kant's 'pragmatic anthropology'
4. Moral anthropology in contemporary neokantian ethics
Part II. The Solution: 5. Transcendental evil, radical evil, and moral anthropology
6. Moral influence on others
Epilogue. Incorporating moral anthropology and defending Kantian moral philosophy.

Subject Areas: Philosophy [HP]