Kant and the reach of reason : studies in Kant's theory of rational systematization

These essays are concerned with the overall nature of Kant's philosophical system, and thus with his deepest intentions and basic commitments. The first three essays deal with Kant's approach to things in themselves and with the realm of noumenal causality. The second part considers Kant's approach to the methodology of rational inquiry, and, in particular, his views on cognitive systematization and the limits of philosophizing itself. The third section focuses on the role played by the categorical imperative in both theoretical and practical philosophy. The aim throughout is to show that in an important sense Kant is prepared to assert the primacy of practical over theoretical philosophy. The essays collected in this volume have a strong thematic and interpretative unity. Their underlying concern is with the overall nature of Kant's philosophical system, and thus with his deepest intentions and basic commitments. The book falls into three parts. The first three essays deal with Kant's approach to things in themselves and with the realm of noumenal causality. The second part considers Kant's approach to the methodology of rational inquiry, and, in particular, his views on cognitive systematization and the limits of philosophizing itself. The third section focuses on the role played by the categorical imperative in both the theoretical and practical philosophy. The aim throughout, one that many Kant scholars and students will find provocative, is to show that in an important sense Kant is prepared to assert the primacy of practical over theoretical philosophy "The essays collected in this volume have a strong thematic and interpretative unity. Their underlying concern is with the overall nature of Kant's philosophical system, and thus with his deepest intentions and basic commitments." "The aim throughout, one that many Kant scholars and students will find provocative, is to show that in an important sense Kant is prepared to assert the primacy of practical over theoretical philosophy."--Jacket Examines the nature of Kant's philosophical system, and with his deepest intentions and basic commitments. Essays deal with Kant's approach to things in themselves; the methodology of rational inquiry and his views on cognitive systematization; and the role played by the categorical imperative in both the theoretical and practical philosophy. Kant's distinction between "appearances" and "things-in-themselves" is construed by various commentators along the lines of the traditional philosophical contrast between appearance and reality.