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Immanuel Kant, brought up in the post-scholastic tradition of epistemology and metaphysics famously changed his mind and his philosophical approach when he encountered the sceptical empiricism of David Hume – which ‘woke him’ from his ‘dogmatic slumbers’. His critical philosophy owns a debt to elements of Hume’s sceptical critique of traditional ideas about knowledge and reality. By dividing reality into phenomena (things as they appear) and noumena (objects accessible to the mind) Kant seeks a middle ground. His ‘critical philosophy’ allows for the possibility of knowing scientific and moral truth in the realm of phenomena but excludes knowledge of any reality beyond the world of phenomena, at the same time affirming that there is a reality beyond.
The course will explore some of Kant’s challenging text – the arguments are often tortuous and at times torturous – and look at some of the extraordinary influence he has exerted on subsequent thinkers, including theologians of the 20th Century. Be prepared for (at times) a hard read, and complex discussion.
Week 1
Setting the scene
Looking at some of Kant's pre-critical work and examples of the thought world in which he moves. The Humean challenge to traditional metaphysics and theory of knowledge.
Week 2
The first Critique: Time, Space and Necessity
Phenomena and noumena. An outline of Kant's systematic theory of knowledge – the crucial notion of the argument from 'the condition of the possibility' as the only possible form of transcendent argument. A selection of key texts.
Week 3
The first Critique: The truth is out there
Kant's 'proof' of the objectivity of the world, and the limitations of metaphysical argument in the 'paralogisms of pure reason'. A selection of key texts.
Week 4
The Second Critique: We know what to do
Using texts from Kant's works on moral philosophy we explore Kant's justification for moral knowledge and his influential categorical imperative.
Week 5 - Kant's Legacy
We explore texts of thinkers influenced by Kant, including Hegel, Heidegger, Husserl and Rahner
John Moffatt SJ works at the London Jesuit Centre. His first degree was in Classics. He taught in London secondary schools intermittently between 1985 and 2016 and has worked briefly in University Chaplaincy. He has been involved with teenage and adult faith education in Britain and South Africa and has recently completed a doctorate in medieval Islamic philosophy.
