Kant's Theory of Freedom / Edition 1

by Henry E. Allison

Overview

In his new book the eminent Kant scholar Henry Allison provides an innovative and comprehensive interpretation of Kant's concept of freedom. The author analyzes the concept and discusses the role it plays in Kant's moral philosophy and psychology. He also considers in full detail the critical literature on the subject from Kant's own time to the present day. In the first part Professor Allison argues that at the center of the Critique of Pure Reason there is the foundation for a coherent general theory of rational agency. The second part employs this account of rational agency as a key to understanding Kant's concept of moral agency and associated moral psychology. The third part focuses on Kant's attempt to ground both moral law and freedom in the Groundwork and the Critique of Practical Reason. This is a major contribution to the interpretation of Kant which will be of special interest to scholars and graduate students of Kant's moral theory.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521387088
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	09/28/1990
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 8.98(h) x 0.63(d)

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments; Note on sources and key to abbreviations and translations; Introduction; Part I. Freedom and Rational Agency in the Critique of Pure Reason: 1. The third antinomy; 2. Empirical and intelligible character; 3. Practical and transcendental freedom; 4. Two alternative interpretatuions; Part II. Moral Agency and Moral Phycology: 5. Rational and agency and autonomy; 6. Duty, inclination, and respect; 7. Wille, Wilkur, and Gesinnung; 8. Radical evil; 9. Virtue and holiness 10. The classical objections; Part III. The Justification of Morality and Freedom: 11. The reciprocity thesis; 12. The deduction in Groundwork III; 13. The fact of reason and the deduction of freedom; Notes; Bibliography; Index.

Editorial Reviews

"Allison has already established himself as one of the leading Kant interpreters of our time...The book is marked by originality of interpretation, by persuasiveness and sound judgment, and thus I expect the book to become an absolute standard in the field for the next generation." Jonathan Lear, Yale University

"This is an extremely valuable book which Kant scholars will be referring to for many years. Together with Beck's commentary on the Critique of Practical Reason, it constitutes indispensable reading for anyone interested in a serious study of Kant's views on morality, rational agency, and freedom." Vincent M. Cooke, International Philosophical Quarterly

"Henry Allsion's very challenging and very rewarding book provides an analysis and defence of Kant's theory of freedom in both its theoretical and practical dimensions." Dialogue

From the Publisher