The relationship between theoretical and practical reason is a central issue in Immanuel Kant’s work, but it has been severely neglected in the literature, and Kant’s own statements on the issue seem to be riddled with contradictions and unclarities. The purpose of this seminar is to determine the viability of a novel approach (Kleingeld’s, see research description above) that reconciles Kant’s seemingly contradictory statements on the issue into a unified account that not only renders Kant’s view of the unity of reason intelligible but that also takes into account the development of Kant’s philosophical thought over time. The seminar comprises close examination of Kant’s conception of reason; study of selected texts by Kant and his opponents, and of the current scholarly and philosophical debates concerning the interpretation and evaluation of the arguments contained there in.
Method of instruction
Research seminar
Examination
Active student participation – preparation, presentation, term paper
Required reading
In addition to works by Kant, required literature includes texts such as:
*Paul Guyer, ‘The Unity of Reason’. *Dieter Henrich, The Unity of Reason: Essays on Kant’s Philosophy. *Pauline Kleingeld, ‘Kant on the Unity of Theoretical and Practical Reason’. *Klaus Kohnhardt, Die Einheit der Vernunft. *Susan Neiman, The Unity of Reason: Rereading Kant.
Timetable
see Timetable MPhil in Philosophy: Rationality 2008-2009
Registration
Please register for this course with the student administration: y.van.eijk@phil.leidenuniv.nl
Information
prof.dr. P. Kleingeld ( p.kleingeld@phil.leidenuniv.nl)
Remarks
Compulsory course for first-year students in specialisation Practical Rationality.