This book certainly belongs on the Mount Rushmore of contemporary Kant books. Yovel does a fantastic job of highlighting that Kantian philosophy is noThis book certainly belongs on the Mount Rushmore of contemporary Kant books. Yovel does a fantastic job of highlighting that Kantian philosophy is not ahistorical in a sense often derided by post-Kantians (and commended by many Kantians themselves). Rather, his philosophy is self-consciously born out of its historical situation and its goal---its ultimate end---is a historical one: the realization of the highest good in the world. Kant is no "abstract philosophizer" but perhaps the most concrete of all philosophers heretofore, understanding himself and his philosophy to emerge from his historical standpoint, and to culminate in a further historical standpoint, one in which Good has defeated Evil and the Kingdom of God has been brought down to earth....more
The final chapter is probably one of the best systematic overviews of the practical end of Kant's critical system. It is unfortunate, though, that it The final chapter is probably one of the best systematic overviews of the practical end of Kant's critical system. It is unfortunate, though, that it was not simply extended into the entirety of the book....more
I didn't read the whole of this book (only the preface, ch.3, ch.7, and random spatterings of sections throughout). However, I think the book is too eI didn't read the whole of this book (only the preface, ch.3, ch.7, and random spatterings of sections throughout). However, I think the book is too excellent not to review. There are likely many readers of Kant, Hegel, Marx, etc. that I agree with more often than I do Wood, but I don't think there are many philosophers (aside from perhaps G.A. Cohen) who I share so much in sensibility with. As always, Wood directly penetrates to the heart of issues and conducts himself with more seriousness in a single book that one can reasonably expect to find in the collected works of a lifetime in many other philosophers. This aside, Wood's emphasis on the social nature of Kant's ethics---greatly closing the gap between Rousseau and Kant on one side and Kant and Hegel on the other---is a very welcome emphasis.
I will close with a quote from the preface, which is remarkable and beautiful (much like the preface to his Marx book): "I therefore resist the antireligious attitude adopted by most people with whom I associate in the academic and scientific community. A self-inflicted intellectual incapacity to appreciate the human potential of religion is a serious deficiency in the culture of most scientists and most academic humanists. Studying Kant or others who combine reason, science, and enlightenment with religious faith helps me, and should help others, toward a more positive view of religion."...more
Works on Hegel typically fall in one of two camps: they either do not leave Hegel’s vocabulary and fail to explain or elucidate anything (Houlgate) orWorks on Hegel typically fall in one of two camps: they either do not leave Hegel’s vocabulary and fail to explain or elucidate anything (Houlgate) or they totally leave Hegel’s vocabulary and it becomes unclear that it is still explaining him (Brandom). This book falls nearer the former than the latter, but largely avoids committing either mortal sin. While there are points where it seems as though Ferrarin is simply repeating Hegel, there are interspersed moments of incredible lucidity....more
A reviewer writes that this collection is “an endearing book of manners, combined with a hilariously outdated psychology.� I cannot help but think theA reviewer writes that this collection is “an endearing book of manners, combined with a hilariously outdated psychology.� I cannot help but think the book’s “faults� lie within him. ...more
Perhaps in another lifetime we could’ve been happy together, Wilfrid. Perhaps somewhere out there you and I are smiling, walking through the pages of Perhaps in another lifetime we could’ve been happy together, Wilfrid. Perhaps somewhere out there you and I are smiling, walking through the pages of Kant hand-in-hand. But not now, and not here. ...more
Loading...
