Kant

In this updated edition of his outstanding introduction to Kant, Paul Guyer uses Kants central conception of autonomy as the key to his thought. Beginning with a helpful overview of Kants life and times, Guyer introduces Kants metaphysics and epistemology, carefully explaining his arguments about the nature of space, time and experience in his most influential but difficult work, The Critique of Pure Reason. He offers an explanation and critique of Kants famous theory of transcendental idealism and shows how much of Kants philosophy is independent of this controversial doctrine. He then examines Kants moral philosophy, his celebrated categorical imperative and his theories of duty, freedom of will and political rights. This section of the work has been substantially revised to clarify the relation between Kants conceptions of "internal" and "external" freedom. In his treatments of Kants aesthetics and teleology, Guyer focuses on their relation to human freedom and happiness. Finally, he considers Kants view that the development of human autonomy is the only goal that we can conceive for both natural and human history. Including a chronology, glossary, chapter summaries and up-to-date further reading, Kant, second edition is an ideal introduction to this demanding yet pivotal figure in the history of philosophy, and essential reading for all students of philosophy.