51³ÉÈËÁÔÆæ

Course Description

Summary

Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) describes his own work in metaphysics by analogy with Copernicus’s revolution in astronomy. He constructs a system of thought that attempts to move beyond the empiricism of Hume and the rationalism of Leibniz and Wolff. His method – critique – and his theory – transcendental idealism – have profoundly influenced all subsequent philosophy. In three texts, The Critique of Pure Reason, The Critique of Practical Reason, and The Critique of the Power of Judgment, Kant applies his method and elaborates his theory with respect to the deepest questions of the limits and extent of human knowledge, morality, and the beautiful and the sublime. In this course you will engage in a close reading and critical questioning of these texts. The focus of the class will be discussion in and outside of the seminar room.