Lecture 4 - German Enlightenment II

Question 1

What are the two reasons why the Pantheismusstreit is important?

Answer 1

1. It is indicative of a typically German demand for depth
2. It has an influence for Kant and paves the way for German Idealism

Question 2

How does the Pantheismusstreit influence Kant?

Answer 2

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.

Question 3

Why was it of extra importance to Kant to experience this ‘launch’ of his ideas in the context of the Pantheismusstreit?

Answer 3

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

Question 4

On which three fields of philosophy would Kant have enormous impact, and through which works?

Answer 4

1. Epistmology -> Critique of Pure Reason
2. Moral philosopy -> Critique of Practical Reason
3. Aesthetics -> Critique of Judgment

Question 5

What is wrong with seeing Kant as the figure in whom the whole Enlightenment culminates?

Answer 5

This is teleological thinking -> it assumes that things in history happen for apurpose

Question 6

Why does it make sense to see Kant as the ultimate culmination of the Enlightenment?

Answer 6

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

Question 7

What would be the effect of Kant’s stance towards reason for the further course of continental philosophy?

Answer 7

It would assume a self-reflective attitude: what are and aren’t we capable of as human beings

Question 8

What becomes the main object of philosophical investigation in German idealism?

Answer 8

The human mind

Question 9

Kant argues that Enlightenment was only possible under specific political conditions. Which condition does he mean?

Answer 9

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

Question 10

How does Kant’s longing for a public domain cement freedom of expression as a cornerstone of the Enlightenment?

Answer 10

A functioning public domain, which is necessary according to Kant, allows for freedom of expression

Question 11

What is philosophical cosmpolitanism?

Answer 11

The idea that all human beings, regardless of their political affiliation, can and should be citizens of single community

Question 12

Where was philosophical cosmopolitanism first popularized? What inspires it?

Answer 12

The Republic of Letters, inspired by the 18th century discoveries of the world beyond Europe

Question 13

Which two works examplify philosophical cosmopolitanism?

Answer 13

1. Cérémonies et coutumes religieuses de tous les peuples du monde
2. Histoire de deux Indes

Question 14

What is the content of the Cérémonies et coutumes religieuses de tous les peuples du monde?

Answer 14

It is a detailed description of the religions and belief systems across the world

Question 15

Who are the authors of the Cérémonies et coutumes religieuses de tous les peuples du monde?

Answer 15

Bernard & Picart

Question 16

What is the effect of the Cérémonies et coutumes religieuses de tous les peuples du monde? (2)

Answer 16

1. It puts the uniqueness of Christianity into perspective
2. Religion becomes an anthropological phenomenon

Question 17

What is the context of the Histoire de deux Indes?

Answer 17

Encyclopedia on crimes commited by Europeans in the Indies

Question 18

In what way is Kant a spokesperson of philosophical cosmopolitanism?

Answer 18

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

Question 19

How was Kant’s spokemanship for cosmopolitanism contradictory?

Answer 19

In some of his works, Kant seems to be racist

Question 20

Which modern day historian believes, much like Kant, the public sphere is a product of emancipating middle classes?

Answer 20

Jürgen Habermas

Question 21

Tim Blanning opposes the perspective that emancipating middle classes were responsible for the establishment of a public domain. Why?

Answer 21

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

Question 22

What happens to natural philosophy in the late 18th century?

Answer 22

Subjects such as physics, which had formerly been part of (natural) philosophy, develop into properly seperate disciplines

Question 23

How did philosophers like Kant see their roles changed after the ‘independence’ of natural philosophy?

Answer 23

They focussed the role on the philosopher on the questions that preceded the natural sciences -> questions on the capacities of human reason/comprehension

Question 24

Why does the new attitude of philosophy after the cessesion of natural philosophy turn it into a study of man?

Answer 24

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