Freedom, Right, and Revolution: Post-Kantian Moral, Legal, and Political Philosophy - PHI00097M
Module summary
This module introduces students to the moral, legal, and political philosophy of early post- Kantian philosophers such as Erhard, Fichte, Maimon, Rehberg, and Schmalz.
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Semester 1 2023-24 |
Module aims
This module aims to:
(i) provide an introduction to the moral, legal, and political
philosophy (the “practicalphilosophy”) of early post-Kantian
philosophers such as Erhard, Fichte, Maimon, Rehberg,and Schmalz.
(ii) consider how the practical philosophy of the early post-Kantians
might illuminatecentral issues and debates in practical
philosophy.
(iii) enable students to develop their skills in
critical analysis, argument, andcommunication.
Module learning outcomes
By the end of this module, students should have an in-depth and systematicunderstanding of some key debates, positions, and arguments in early post-Kantianmoral, legal, and political philosophy.
They should also be able to:
- analyse complex theories and arguments, displaying critical awareness
- synthesize information and ideas from a variety of sources at the forefront of thediscipline
- evaluate research critically
- show originality in the discussion and evaluation of ideas from the philosophicalliterature in developing their own arguments
Students should show the ability to work autonomously and self-critically on an extendedessay that goes beyond the core framework that is provided in teaching sessions.
Module content
The early post-Kantians (philosophers such as Erhard, Fichte, Maimon, Rehberg, andSchmalz) applied the insights and methods of Kant’s “Critical Philosophy” to central issuesin moral, legal, and political philosophy. In so doing, they developed positions andarguments that are striking for their originality and philosophical significance. In thismodule, we explore the practical philosophy of the early post-Kantians by engagingcritically with recent translations (some of which have yet to be published) and cutting-edge scholarship.
Topics considered will include some or all of the following:
- The nature of human rights and arguments for their existence.
- The legitimacy of revolution and the morality of revolutionary action.
- Ideology and ideology critique.
- The relationship between law and morality.
- The relationship between theory and practice.
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100.0 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100.0 |
Module feedback
Feedback will be returned in line with the current University and Departmental guidelines.
Indicative reading
- Beiser, F. C. Enlightenment, Revolution, and Romanticism: The Genesis ofModern German Political Thought, 1790-1800 (Cambridge, Massachusetts:Harvard University Press).
- Clarke, J. A. and Gottlieb, G. (eds.) Practical Philosophy from Kant to Hegel:Freedom, Right, and Revolution (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2021).
- Erhard, J. B. “Devil’s Apology”, trans. J. A. Clarke and C. Rhode, British Journal forthe History of Philosophy,27 (1):194-215.
- Fichte, Johann Gottlieb, Contribution to the Correction of the Public’s Judgmentson the French Revolution, trans. J. Church and A. M. Schön (New York: SUNYPress, 2021).
- Maimon, S. “On the First Grounds of Natural Right”, trans. M. Nance and J.Yonover, British Journal for the History of Philosophy,29 (1):157-172.
- Rehberg, A.W. “On the Relationship between Theory and Practice”, trans. M. L.Gregory, British Journal for the History of Philosophy,29 (6):1166-1176.
- Schmalz, T. A. H. “The Pure Natural Right”, trans. J. Church and A. M. Schön,British Journal for the History of Philosophy (currently only available in e-format).