Lecture 4 - German Enlightenment II Flashcards
What are the two reasons why the Pantheismusstreit is important?
- It is indicative of a typically German demand for depth
- It has an influence for Kant and paves the way for German Idealism
How does the Pantheismusstreit influence Kant?
It was an influence on the early reception of the Critique of Pure Reason -> Spinoza believed that it was possible to come up with an atheist morality through reason. Kant’s critique of Reason opposed this idea.
Why was it of extra importance to Kant to experience this ‘launch’ of his ideas in the context of the Pantheismusstreit?
Kant was different in the sense of many other Enlightenment authors in that he wasn’t really part of ‘Enlightenment society’ –> he was an obscure professor at Köningsberg
On which three fields of philosophy would Kant have enormous impact, and through which works?
- Epistmology -> Critique of Pure Reason
- Moral philosopy -> Critique of Practical Reason
- Aesthetics -> Critique of Judgment
What is wrong with seeing Kant as the figure in whom the whole Enlightenment culminates?
This is teleological thinking -> it assumes that things in history happen for apurpose
Why does it make sense to see Kant as the ultimate culmination of the Enlightenment?
In a way, Kant was the most radical of the Enlightenment -> if we view the Enlightenment as an essential critical phenomenon, then Kant was the most critical of all, for he is critical of our ability to be critical itself
What would be the effect of Kant’s stance towards reason for the further course of continental philosophy?
It would assume a self-reflective attitude: what are and aren’t we capable of as human beings
What becomes the main object of philosophical investigation in German idealism?
The human mind
Kant argues that Enlightenment was only possible under specific political conditions. Which condition does he mean?
There has to be a public domain: a space in which informed citizens can exchange views, discuss and disagree, without interference from church or state
How does Kant’s longing for a public domain cement freedom of expression as a cornerstone of the Enlightenment?
A functioning public domain, which is necessary according to Kant, allows for freedom of expression
What is philosophical cosmpolitanism?
The idea that all human beings, regardless of their political affiliation, can and should be citizens of single community
Where was philosophical cosmopolitanism first popularized? What inspires it?
The Republic of Letters, inspired by the 18th century discoveries of the world beyond Europe
Which two works examplify philosophical cosmopolitanism?
- Cérémonies et coutumes religieuses de tous les peuples du monde
- Histoire de deux Indes
What is the content of the Cérémonies et coutumes religieuses de tous les peuples du monde?
It is a detailed description of the religions and belief systems across the world
Who are the authors of the Cérémonies et coutumes religieuses de tous les peuples du monde?
Bernard & Picart
What is the effect of the Cérémonies et coutumes religieuses de tous les peuples du monde? (2)
- It puts the uniqueness of Christianity into perspective
- Religion becomes an anthropological phenomenon
What is the context of the Histoire de deux Indes?
Encyclopedia on crimes commited by Europeans in the Indies
In what way is Kant a spokesperson of philosophical cosmopolitanism?
He launches the idea of a League of Nations as the only way to establish eternal peace, by recognizing that we all inhabit the same planet and are essentially equal
How was Kant’s spokemanship for cosmopolitanism contradictory?
In some of his works, Kant seems to be racist
Which modern day historian believes, much like Kant, the public sphere is a product of emancipating middle classes?
Jürgen Habermas
Tim Blanning opposes the perspective that emancipating middle classes were responsible for the establishment of a public domain. Why?
In many countries across Europe, the establishment of a public domain had originally been an act of government and church, in order to harnass culture to influence the state, or to allow for control over the public domain
What happens to natural philosophy in the late 18th century?
Subjects such as physics, which had formerly been part of (natural) philosophy, develop into properly seperate disciplines
How did philosophers like Kant see their roles changed after the ‘independence’ of natural philosophy?
They focussed the role on the philosopher on the questions that preceded the natural sciences -> questions on the capacities of human reason/comprehension
Why does the new attitude of philosophy after the cessesion of natural philosophy turn it into a study of man?
Philosophy starts studying science as an exercise of man, which essentially means studying the ways in which humans do science, and the way in which they are able to comprehend it
