Kant's Philosophy Research Articles

Transcending Individual Traditions: Zhang Taiyan’s Interpretation of Zhuangzi’s Notion of Chengxin

This article examines the nuanced interpretations of chengxin 成心 in the Zhuangzi 莊子, a foundational Daoist text, across different philosophical traditions. Historically, Daoist thinkers like Guo Xiang 郭象 and Cheng Xuanying 成玄英, along with Neo-Confucian scholars such as Lü Huiqing 吕惠卿 and Lin Xiyi 林希逸, have provided differing perspectives on the notion of chengxin. They regard it as either a source of subjective bias or an expression of heavenly principle. The core focus of this study is Zhang Taiyan’s 章太炎 innovative interpretation of chengxin as seeds (bijas) within ālaya-vijñāna (storehouse consciousness), integrating Yogācāra Buddhist concepts with traditional Daoist philosophy. The study conducts a textual analysis of Zhang’s Qiwulun Shi 齊物論釋, comparing his interpretation with earlier commentaries on the Zhuangzi. It is argued that Zhang’s approach is profoundly influenced by the Buddhist doctrine of non-duality, which underscores the interconnectedness of all phenomena. While Zhang’s interpretation has faced criticism from contemporaries and later philosophers for misunderstandings of Yogācāra theory and Kantian philosophy, it employs the method of geyi 格義 (matching concepts), not to impose one tradition over another, but to foster a dialogical process where the insights from each tradition mutually inform and transform one another. This article highlights the interpretative openness of the Zhuangzi, which invites diverse interpretations, and demonstrates how Zhang’s approach enriches this tradition by synthesizing various philosophical and religious frameworks. Zhang’s methodology remains relevant, fostering cross-cultural and inclusive philosophical dialog.

오성다도(五性茶道)의 수양론과 서양철학의 비교 연구

This study explores the philosophical system of Oseong Tea Ceremony, founded by Ahn park Jong-han, and seeks to examine its integrative potential through a comparison with Western philosophy. Oseong Tea Ceremony emphasizes moral growth and holistic human cultivation by nurturing five qualities: physicality, spirituality, sociality, individuality, and sensibility. Ahn park Jong-han merged the traditional thoughts of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism to pursue inner development through tea ceremonies, which holds significant relevance in modern society. While existing research has inadequately compared Oseong Tea Ceremony with Western philosophy, this study aims to present the contemporary significance and philosophical similarities of Oseong Tea Ceremony through comparisons with plato's tripartite theory of the soul, Kant's moral philosophy, and Martin Buber's philosophy of relation. Through this analysis, the study discusses how Oseong Tea Ceremony can be established as a practical philosophy for holistic human growth.

Da Lógica à Natureza: a posição de Hegel não-romântica e pós-kantiana da Naturphilosophie

This is to lay out the issues involved in an appropriately post-Kantian interpretation of Hegel’s Naturphilosophie, which I translate not as “philosophy of nature” but as “natural philosophy”. Pure thought as Kant argued is empty, but he thought that he could supply pure content to it by the combination of pure intuitions and the unity of self-consciousness. His successors, especially Fichte, did not think that resolved matters, and Hegel tried to make good on what he saw as the failures of Fichte’s attempt to do Kantian philosophy without pure intuitions. Hegel however also saw that one could not begin with self-consciousness per se or with Fichte’s “I.” Instead, Hegel proposed a Logic that would give an internally self-enclosed system of pure thoughts as what was needed to make sense of making sense. Famously, he concluded the system with some not entirely clear ideas about its needing a move to a Naturphilosophie that was not a move in terms of a “transition.” Pure thought thus developed a concept of that which would be external to pure thought itself (like Fichte’s “Not-I”) but still something intrinsically linked to pure thought. This is the very concept of “externality to pure thought itself,” which first appears as space and time. The development of the simple thought of “external to pure thought” leads to a non-empiricist account of nature. Empiricists study regularities of nature in the Humean sense, but these regularities, although existent, are not fully “actual” in that they are not what is doing the work of explanation. What explains the regularities themselves are the various pure objects of the Naturphilosophie: The mechanical, the physical, the chemical and the biological fields of nature, each of which manifests a power [Potenz] that explains why the empirically found regularities in nature actually hold. The basic objects of a true Naturphilosophie present a unified field of investigation that is defined by the field’s powers and which in turn calls out for an empirical investigation of how these powers actually operate in the vast continuum of nature. Each of these distinct fields moreover has its own distinct form of causality, culminating in the causality of freedom in the human realm. It is then suggested that the reason for the transition from Logic to Nature is that pure thought on its own is powerless and finds itself filled with only the shadows of the world as a whole. This has implications for how we think of Hegel’s system as a whole.

Влияние спекулятивной философии И. Канта на становление и концептуализацию онтологической школы Московской духовной академии

The article delves into the analysis of philosophical reception of Kantian ideas by representatives of the onto-logical school of the Moscow Theological Academy F.A. Golubinsky and V.D. Kudryavtsev-Platonov. I. Kant’s critical philosophy aroused genuine interest among professors of theological academies, since Kantian tran-scendentalism was a method rather than a competing system of philosophical metaphysics, nevertheless, at-tempts to combine the achievements of Kantian thought and theistic attitudes revealed obvious contradictions between the constants of the two systems. The influence of Kant’s critical thought on the philosophical tradition of the Moscow Theological Academy is assessed by researchers in a mixed way: they note the doctrinal ap-proach in criticizing Kantian positions, as well as the eclectic nature of academic concepts, in which thinkers tried to strike a balance between the rigor of Kantian discourse and the postulates of Orthodox Christian theism. Meanwhile, the critical assessment of the ideas and concepts of Kantian philosophy, the reinterpretation of its terms did not lead academic thinkers beyond its basic principles. The author notes the systemic nature of the influence, which consists in the branching of the method and structure of I. Kant’s speculative thought in the philosophical constructions of the ontological school.

Nilai - Nilai dalam Upacara Penti di Manggarai Ditinjau dari Perspektif Filsafat Moral Kant

Each culture has various traditional ceremonies. Traditional ceremonies become one of the entities that perpetuate a culture. Each traditional ceremony has values that want to be preserved and taught to the followers of that culture. The Penti Ceremony in the Manggarai Community, Flores, NTT is one of the pedagogical cultural activities. There are many values to be taught in the ceremony. Therefore, this paper aims to examine the important values contained in the Penti ceremony from the perspective of Immanuel Kant's moral philosophy. This research uses a qualitative approach with ethnographic methods. The results of this study show that the Penti ceremony contains philosophical values that can be interpreted from the perspective of Kant's moral philosophy, such as harmony with God and others. These positive things are important to be raised in order to become material that can be taught to the younger generation through formal and informal schools, such as local content programs.

Entelechy and Energy

This article reconsiders Hans Driesch’s vitalism, as articulated in his English book The Science and Philosophy of the Organism, from a novel perspective. The central thesis posits that Driesch’s vitalism was intricately intertwined with contemporary physical sciences, particularly the version of energy physics prevalent in the energetics movement at the turn of the twentieth century. More specifically, based on the conceptual framework provided by energeticists like Wilhelm Ostwald and Georg Helm, Driesch offered an intriguing treatment of the relationship between entelechy and energy within an updated Kantian philosophy of nature. This article reconstructs Driesch’s approach by elucidating four points. First, Driesch asserted that an entelechy strictly adhered to the conservation of energy. Second, he posited that the entelechy was not a form of energy and thus did not constitute a special kind of bio-specific vital energy. Third, he identified the entelechy’s most critical characteristic as its ability to suspend certain physico-chemical changes. Fourth, Driesch suggested that the entelechy influenced mechanical systems in a manner akin to Maxwell’s demon, raising the possibility of contravening the second law of thermodynamics. This article also contextualizes Driesch’s treatment within the broader development of energy physics in the latter half of the nineteenth century. In conclusion, this article offers some critical remarks on the peculiar historical phenomenon of chronic vitalism as identified by Driesch and others.

The primacy of practice and the goal of a peaceful world order in Kant's philosophy

The primacy of practice and the goal of a peaceful world order in Kant's philosophy

The significance of Kant's philosophy for the revival of Polish philosophy at the turn of the 20th century

The significance of Kant's philosophy for the revival of Polish philosophy at the turn of the 20th century

The concept of law: diversity of interpretations and unity of meaning

The article is devoted to the definition of the concept of law, characterization of its essential qualities and historical types. The methodological difficulties of finding a clear definition of a legal phenomenon are shown on the example of Kantian philosophy. Law is a sociocultural phenomenon, it is present in the mind of a person and manifests itself in society, i. e. is realized in legal relations, creates and maintains the legal order in society.

Short Story Buah Limus Murag Ku Angin by Karna Yudibrata: A Study of Immanuel Kant's Philosophy of Norms

This study aims to describe the moral philosophy contained in the Sundanese short story Buah Limus Murag ku Angin by Karna Yudibrata using Immanuel Kant's moral philosophy theory. This research uses a qualitative approach with the document method and literature study. The document method is used to find data sources that will be used, while supporting literature and readings are collected using literature study techniques. The data source in this research is the short story Buah Limus Murag ku Angin by Karna Yudibrata and the data is in the form of morality values contained in it. Then the data is analyzed and described using Immanuel Kant's moral philosophy theory, with the result that in this short story moral philosophy is observed which includes 1) morality towards god not to associate gods, in 2) morality towards the social environment includes morals of responsibility, respect for others, and good neighborliness, and in 3) morality towards oneself the results are related to morals to think positively, not indulge in excessive ego, control emotions, maintain self-esteem and authority, and wisdom in action.

Vittorio Hösle on the Systematicity and Historicity of Modern Philosophy: An Attempt of a Paradigmatic Analysis of Kant's Philosophy of History

Since the current volume of “NaUKMA Research Papers in Philosophy and Religious Studies” presents the first Ukrainian translation of Vittorio Hösle’s essay “The Place of Kant’s Philosophy of History in the History of the Philosophy of History,” this article provides a comprehensive analysis of the work of its author, a contemporary German and American philosopher who is a prominent figure in the “objective idealism of intersubjectivity.” The focus is on the methodology effectively employed by Hösle in his research, which combines historical and philosophical analysis of the works of ancient and modern philosophers with a paradigmatic approach to their thinking. A paradigmatic analysis enables us to examine the topic under study from the perspective of modern philosophy. Hösle’s research is primarily characterized by conceptual and systematic interests, even when delving into the works of eminent philosophers of the past, such as Plato’s philosophy of mathematics. Hösle effectively employs this methodology in his study of Kant’s philosophy of history, revealing how the moral and normative orientation of history, as outlined by Kant, is complemented, even complicated in a certain way, by the realistic anthropology of the author of the “Critique of Pure Reason.” The article also analyzes several other works by Hösle. The analysis demonstrates how, through paradigmatic and systematic methodology, Hösle identified four phases of the development of ancient philosophy, each characterized by distinct thematic and epistemological aspects. This methodology necessitates researchers to depart from the linear-progressive approach of the history of philosophy to focus on the cyclical movement of philosophical thought. Attention is drawn to the problem of the relationship between the “Science of Logic” and real philosophy (philosophy of nature and the philosophy of spirit), as well as the presence of intersubjectivity in Hegel’s philosophy. Various Hösle’s works demonstrate his ability to analyze the classical texts and cinematic masterpieces, as well as the controversial trends of the modern world and the challenges faced by humanity in the 21st century, including Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine. These challenges require new approaches in international politics and law.

The practical philosophy of Immanuel Kant and the modern ethics of responsibility

The article deals with the practical philosophy of Immanuel Kant, its transformation in the modern ethics of responsibility and the significance of «risks and threats» for modern society. It is emphasized that in Ukraine, in particular, in the H.S. Skovoroda Institute of Philosophy of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, a powerful historical-philosophical tradition of research in German classical philosophy has developed, the foundation of which is the philosophy of I. Kant. This trend gained a new development after the restoration of Ukraine's independence. Special attention was paid in the investigation to the study of Kant's moral philosophy, its important component – the categorical imperative. It is shown that Kant's practical philosophy became an important driver of the leading trends of modern philosophy in the world, which was manifested in the process of «rehabilitation of practical philosophy», which includes the philosophy of responsibility of H. Jonas, communicative philosophy and ethics of discourse. These trends prompted the search for new formulations of the categorical imperative. The relevance of Kant's practical philosophy is evident especially today, under the conditions of modern technological civilization, the destruction of the normative order in the world, and the crisis of moral guidelines. Kant's concept of the primacy of the practical (moral and ethical) mind over the theoretical, technical and instrumental mind opens up ways to solve the global problems of our time, especially in the conditions of crisis and war. Kant's anniversary coincides with a special period of Ukrainian history: the modernization of Ukrainian society, the restoration of national identity, and orientation towards universal values. This event acquires special significance in view of the Russian aggression against Ukraine. Distorting the enlightment, moral-ethical and universalistic direction of Kant's philosophy, Russian propaganda tries to use it for ideological and propaganda purposes. That is why events dedicated to Kant's anniversary are an important component in the fight against the Russian aggressor.

Reinhold's "letters on kantian philosophy": their significance for Kant and german philosophy

The article is devoted primarily to the analysis of Reinhold’s Letters on Kantian Philosophy, published in the “Der Teutsche Merkur” (German Mercury) 1786-1787. The purpose of this analysis is to reveal the peculiarities of Reinhold’s interpretation of Kant’s philosophy, as well as the possibility of the influence of these letters on Kant's practical philosophy and the further development of German idealism in general. To more clearly define Reinhold's own position, the article turns to Reinhold's early works, written before Letters, as well as to the 1790 and 1923 editions of the Letters. Particular respect is given to three topics that are closely related to each other: “Why did Reinhold’s Letters bring fame to Kant?”, “To what extent was Reinhold an independent philosopher?” і “What kind of infusion did his Letters make into the development of Kant’s philosophy and German idealism?” The article proves that before 1786, Reinhold had, in general terms, formed a program for the reform of philosophy, which was critical in its nature and had a clearly expressed practical focus. However, Reinhold's criticism was closer to the criticism of the eclectics and Leibniz than of Kant: it was aimed at overcoming the limitations of the original points of view and assumed a deep knowledge of the history of philosophy. The main reason for the popularity of Reinhold’s Letters lies in his idea of the “scientific revolution” in Germany, which should have become an alternative to social revolutions in other countries of Europe. Formed in “pre-revolutionary” articles, this idea received its justification in the second edition of the Letters. It was the nationalist idea of transforming the Germans into a “nation of scientists”, that became the reason for the rise of national consciousness in Germany and attracted “thinking youth” to it Reinhold's program for the reform of all philosophical sciences from a generally valid point of view gave impetus and largely determined the further development of German classical philosophy: not only Fichte, but also Schelling and Hegel relied primarily on his program. The first edition of his Letters largely determined the main themes of the Critique of Practical Reason, and the second - the Metaphysics of Morals. The second edition inspired Kant to develop a system of criticism and the basic ideas of Kant’s philosophy of law.

A.W. Rehberg, Investigations Concerning the French Revolution (1793)

ABSTRACT This is a translation of selections from Part One, Chapter One of Rehberg's Investigations, which contains his critique of the philosophical principles animating the French Revolution. No English translation of the text currently exists. The Investigations was one of the most influential philosophical treatments of the Revolution in eighteenth-century Germany and remains an important specimen of ‘Kantian’ political theory from the 1790s. The Investigations had a clear impact on Kant's political philosophy and the work of the early Fichte. The translation is accompanied by an editorial introduction that introduces the reader to Rehberg and outlines his core arguments.

Neokantyści Wilhelm Windelband, Heinrich Rickert i Ernst Cassirer wobec filozofii renesansu

Neo-Kantianism as a philosophical formation is characterised primarily by its reference to the philosophy of Immanuel Kant. Nevertheless, to say that the essence of Neo-Kantianism was solely a renewal of Kant's philosophy is insufficient. Also specific to this formation was the adaptation of Kant's thought to the new chalenges of philosophy at the turn of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. A uniquely exciting analogy for Neo-Kantian philosophy is its reference to the thought of the Renaissance period. Just as the Renaissance marked the revival of many ancient philosophical currents (Platonism, Neoplatonism, Aristotelianism, Stoicism, Epicureanism, Scepticism and even Ionian natural philosophy) in the early modern period, Neo-Kantianism represented a kind of Renaissance of Kant’s philosophy. This affinity of thought is suggested by representatives of the two most important Neo-Kantian schools: Wilhelm Windelband, Heinrich Rickert and Ernst Cassirer. This article focuses on this historical-philosophical parallel by examining the relationship between Neo-Kantianism and Renaissance philosophy. The results show that Neo-Kantianism is not limited to an apologetic repetition of Kant’s philosophy but constitutes a heterodox and critical renewal of it. Such an apologetic approach did not work in modern philosophy, which is dominated by the spirit of criticism. Thus, the Neo-Kantian formation shows deep connections with other periods in the history of philosophy, such as Renaissance philosophy, as a breakthrough period initiating a modern mode of reflection. Understanding the relationship between Neo-Kantianism and other philosophical movements can help us appreciate the richness and complexity of contemporary philosophical thought.

How to do things with “the Fact of Reason”: A new interpretation of a well-known concept in Kant’s philosophy

There have been numerous studies on Kant’s concept of the ‘Fact of Reason’, drawing on various intellectual resources, ranging from metaphysics to psychology, from Aristotle to Mencius, from analytic philosophy to phenomenology, and beyond. How should we evaluate these studies? Is it possible that these studies can contribute both to an understanding of Kantian philosophy and to an understanding of Western philosophy as a whole, as well as shed light on the development of philosophy after Kant and on the philosophical questions of our own era? In order to at least partially clarify the above questions, this article will draw on the work of philosohers such as Karl-Otto Apel, Jürgen Habermas, C.I. Lewis, Jin Yuelin and Feng Qi, and discuss how certain presuppositions of communicative action can be both regulative and constitutive, how the same propositions can be both empirical and a priori, how the same concepts can both describe reality and regulate it, and how the ‘Fact of Reason’ can be understood as the ‘Fact of Learning’, in order to offer a new interpretation of Kant’s concept of the ‘Fact of Reason’.

Desiring God and Christian Hedonism: awakening an immanent joy

ABSTRACT In the following rhetorical analysis, the contemporary evangelical philosophy called Christian Hedonism is examined. This philosophy was initiated by John Piper during the eighties through the now classic text Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist. Using rhetorical conceptions of immanence and transcendence, the artefact demonstrates a desire to transcend the contemporary bounds of evangelicalism through the immanent substance of joy. By challenging Kantian philosophy, which rejects emotions, Piper awakens interlocutors to an eligible process of transcendence within the then metaphysical dialectic of conservative evangelicalism. Through immanence, incongruity emerges allowing, most significantly, for suffering to become synonymous with joy thus giving rhetorical scholars further insight into the rhetorical inner workings of this modern day Christian philosophy.

The Relationship between Morality and Religion in Kant's Philosophy

Kant delves into the relationship between morality and religion, particularly how traditional morality is integrated into practical reason and how the moral law is seen as a self-imposed rule of free practical reason. Kant distinguishes between two forms of religion: religion within the boundaries of pure reason and revealed religion. The former is based on the rational conception that the establishment of a supreme being ensures the supreme good; the latter emphasizes the independence and authority of reason in matters of faith. In his moral philosophy, both beliefs are crucial, not only in helping to sustain the moral life, but also in the way that both reason's conception of God and belief in revealed religion can positively affect the moral life.

Explanation, teleology, and analogy in natural history and comparative anatomy around 1800: Kant and Cuvier

This paper investigates conceptions of explanation, teleology, and analogy in the works of Immanuel Kant (1724–1804) and Georges Cuvier (1769–1832). Richards (2000, 2002) and Zammito (2006, 2012, 2018) have argued that Kant's philosophy provided an obstacle for the project of establishing biology as a proper science around 1800. By contrast, Russell (1916), Outram (1986), and Huneman (2006, 2008) have argued, similar to suggestions from Lenoir (1989), that Kant's philosophy influenced the influential naturalist Georges Cuvier. In this article, I wish to expand on and further the work of Russell, Outram, and Huneman by adopting a novel perspective on Cuvier and considering (a) the similar conceptions of proper science and explanation of Kant and Cuvier, and (b) the similar conceptions of the role of teleology and analogy in the works of Kant and Cuvier. The similarities between Kant and Cuvier show, contrary to the interpretation of Richards and Zammito, that some of Kant's philosophical ideas, whether they derived from him or not, were fruitfully applied by some life scientists who wished to transform life sciences into proper sciences around 1800. However, I also show that Cuvier, in contrast to Kant, had a workable strategy for transforming the life sciences into proper sciences, and that he departed from Kant's philosophy of science in crucial respects.

Zur Bedingung der Möglichkeit von Erfahrung. Eine modallogische Analyse

Abstract In Kantian philosophy, the term “condition of possibility” is central, but carries the following ambiguity. According to one reading, “condition of possibility” merely means “necessary condition”. However, it is demonstrated that a deeper interpretation of the term “possibility” proves to be more fruitful. This reading allows us to reconstruct an important background assumption of Kant: Every condition of the possibility of experience holds necessarily, provided that experience is possible. Or more generally: All conditions of the possibility hold necessarily as long as the conditioned is actually possible. This conclusion is understood through the axiomatic system S5. Therefore I argue by referencing the schematism chapter that Kant’s notion of modal terms can be formalized through S5.