Kant's critical religion : Volume two of Kant's system of perspectives

Applying the new perspectival method of interpreting Kant he expounded in earlier works, Palmquist examine a broad range of Kant's philosophical writings to present a fresh view of his thought on theology, religion, and religious experience. He defends a number of innovative theses, including how: religious and theological themes form the backbone of Kants mature philosophical System, to the extent that his philosophy can be called theocentric; Kants treatment of organized religion provides the basis for a living and richly symbolic form of religious practice that is thoroughly compatible with the core teachings of Christianity; Kants Copernican Perspective on metaphysics arose in part out of and is directly parallel to his response to Swedenborgs mystical dreams; and the claimsof mystics and others to have experiences of God are philosophically justifiable provided they are viewed solely from the judicial standpoint (i.e., the standpoint of the third Critique). Through its detailed examination of Kants writings and the volumous secondary literature, this book effects a fundamental paradigm shift in Kant-studies. No longer can Kant be portrayed as a cynical destroyer of religion in general and Christianity in particular; instead, he can now take his rightful place as a sympathetic reformer, rivalling even Luther in his influence on contemporary Christian thought and practiceboth Protestant and Catholic. "Examining a broad range of Kant's philosophical writings, this book presents a fresh interpretation of Kant's views on theology, religion and religious experience. Applying the new 'perspectival' method of interpreting Kant expounded in Palmquist's earlier work, Kant's Critical Religion makes a substantial contribution to Kant-studies." "Presenting Kant as a sympathetic reformer of religion in general and of Christianity in particular, this book explores the development of Kant's Critical philosophy, provides a detailed examination of an extensive range of secondary literature, assesses numerous interpretations and controversies surrounding his work, and looks at the implications for contemporary theological and philosophical debates."--BOOK JACKET