Abstract
For Immanuel Kant the death of speculative metaphysics and the birth of the rights of man were not independent events. Together they constitute the resolution of the Enlightenment debate about the scope and power of reason. In the Critique of Pure Reason Kant shows that theoretical reason is unable to answer the questions of speculative metaphysics: whether God exists, the soul is immortal, and the will is free. But this conclusion prepares the way for an extension in the power of practical reason.3 Practical reason directs that every human being as a free and autonomous being must be regarded as unconditionally valuable. In his ethical writings Kant shows how this directive provides a rational foundation for morality, politics, and a religion of moral faith. Bringing reason to the world becomes the enterprise of morality rather than metaphysics, and the work as well as the hope of humanity.
… reason has no dictatorial authority; its verdict is always simply the agreement of free citizens, of whom each one must be permitted to express, without let or hindrance, his objections or even his veto. (C1 A738-739/B766-767)
Critique of Pure Reason
I would like to thank Ted Cohen, Manley Thompson and the editors for comments on an earlier draft of this chapter.
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Korsgaard, C. (1989). Kant. In: Cavalier, R.J., Gouinlock, J., Sterba, J.P. (eds) Ethics in the History of Western Philosophy. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-20203-4_7
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