Immanuel Kant's Moral Theory / Edition 1

by Roger J. Sullivan

Overview

This comprehensive, lucid, and systematic commentary on Kant's practical (or moral) philosophy is sure to become a standard reference work. Kant is arguably the most important moral philosopher of the modern period, yet, prior to this detailed study, there have been no attempts to treat all of his work in this area in a single volume. Using as nontechnical a language as possible, the author offers a detailed, authoritative account of Kant's moral philosophy, including his ethical theory, his philosophy of history, his political philosophy, his philosophy of religion, and his philosophy of education. He also demonstrates the historical, Kantian origins of such important notions as "autonomy," "respect for others," "rights," and "duties."

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521369084
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	02/24/1989
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	432
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 9.02(h) x 0.94(d)

Table of Contents

1. Introduction; 2. The context for Kant's moral philosophy; Part I. The Nature of Morality: 3. The nature of human action; 4. Prudence: taking care of our own interests; 5. Morality: living autonomously; 6. Morally obligatory ends; 7. The defense of morality; 8. The primacy of morality; Part II. The Moral Norm for Persons: 9. Moral character: part I; 10. Moral character: part II; Part III. The Norm for Moral Judgment: 11. The categorical imperative; 12. The formula of autonomy or of universal law: part I; 13. The formula of autonomy or of universal law: part II; 14. The formula of respect for the dignity of persons; 15. The formula of legislation for a moral community; Part IV. Kant on History, Politics, and Religion: 16. Autonomy and the state; 17. Civil justice and republicanism; 18. Kant's philosophy of religion; Appendixes: 1. Kant's two-viewpoints doctrine; 2. Kant's philosophy of moral education.

Editorial Reviews

"...it provides a framework within which individual works can be located and some helpful guidance through their complexities. One might wish that it could be a reader's first introduction to Kant's moral theory." Mary Gregor, San Diego State University, in Review of Metaphysics

"Perhaps even more effectively than Kant himself, Roger J, Sullivan attempts to carry out Kant's project of moral self-understanding...Kant seems to have found a new voice in this extraordinarily lucid commentary...a fairly comprehensive account of the whole of Kant's practical philosophy which is both readable and intellectually challenging. Sullivan's expository style successfully illuminates aspects of Kant's moral philosophy that would typically be overshadowed by excessive criticism and well intentioned attempts to reconstruct a more acceptable reading. This is a remarkable achievement and one suspects that this work will become a standard reference for students of Kant's moral theory for some time to come." Peter P. Cvek, The Review of Politics

From the Publisher