Kantian Commitments: Essays on Moral Theory and Practice

Kantian Commitments is a collection of essays that rethink Kant's ethics, exploring implications for moral theory and practice. Part One revises central pieces of Kant's framework, while Part Two addresses important topics such as the rationale for Kant's moralized view of history, social pluralism, moral psychology, indirect duties to animals, and the highest good in a morally good life. The aim is to clarify the ambition and scale of Kantian theory by removing assumptions that introduce questions not meant to be answered.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 24 February 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Kantian Commitments is a collection of ten essays that delve into a comprehensive reevaluation of Kant's ethical principles and their implications for moral theory and practice. In Part One, the essays engage in a thoughtful exploration of central aspects of Kant's moral framework, offering a fresh perspective on the formulas of the categorical imperative, revisiting the notion of exceptions to duties, and enhancing the distinction between Kantian theory and other deontological frameworks, particularly contemporary contractualisms. The guiding hypothesis behind this endeavor is to take seriously the idea that the categorical imperative formulas provide a framework for moral reasoning that upholds standards of validity and soundness, enabling moral judgment to elucidate the relationship between our rational natures and our moral obligations.

Part Two of Kantian Commitments addresses several less central but significant topics that are informed by the arguments presented in Part One. These topics include the rationale behind Kant's moralized view of history, the implications of a Kantian perspective on morality for social pluralism, the compatibility of Kant's conception of moral psychology with affect-centered theories of human development, the motivation behind Kant's argument for indirect duties to animals, and the significance of the idea of the highest good in a morally good life. The overarching objective of the essays in this collection is to examine fundamental Kantian commitments through a program of inquiry that challenges and dismantles assumptions often imposed on Kant's texts, thereby clarifying the scope and ambition of Kantian theory.

By removing these obstacles, Kantian Commitments aims to provide a clearer understanding of Kant's philosophical ideas and their relevance to contemporary moral discourse. The essays offer insightful perspectives and innovative interpretations that contribute to our understanding of ethics and moral reasoning, fostering a deeper appreciation of Kant's profound contributions to the field.

Weight: 486g
Dimension: 240 x 160 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192844965