Over the incalculable gulf: freedom after Kant's Critique of Judgment

Lead Research Organisation: University of Sheffield
Department Name: Philosophy

Abstract

How can we be free in a world ruled by the laws of physics? This issue runs through the philosophy of Immanuel Kant, and his insight into it of great value. With this project, I aim to study one of his most enigmatic works - the Critique of Judgment - and argue that it is very relevant to our modern debates on freedom. In particular, I will claim that his theory of biology, where he regards organisms as beings for whom the laws of physics hold in a rather strange way, can be of great use to reframe our debates around freedom. It is the fact that we are alive that makes it possible that we can act in the world, and, thus, be free.

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