Freedom and the End of Reason - 2nd Edition by Richard L Velkley (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

In Freedom and the End of Reason, Richard L. Velkley offers an influential interpretation of the central issue of Kant's philosophy and an evaluation of its position within modern philosophy's larger history. He persuasively argues that the whole of Kantianism-not merely the Second Critique-focuses on a "critique of practical reason" and is a response to a problem that Kant saw as intrinsic to reason itself: the teleological problem of its goodness. Reconstructing the influence of Rousseau on Kant's thought, Velkley demonstrates that the relationship between speculative philosophy and practical philosophy in Kant is far more intimate than generally has been perceived. By stressing a Rousseau-inspired notion of reason as a provider of practical ends, he is able to offer an unusually complete account of Kant's idea of moral culture.

From the Back Cover

Richard L. Velkley offers a new interpretation of the central issues of Kant's philosophy and a new evaluation of its position within the history of modern philosophy. He persuasively argues that the whole of Kantianism, not merely the 'Second Critique, ' is really a 'critique of practical reason' and a response to a problem Kant saw as intrinsic to reason: the teleological problem of reason's goodness. By stressing a Rousseau--inspired notion of reason as a provider of practical ends, Velkley also is able to offer an unusually compete account of Kant's idea of moral culture.

Review Quotes

"The picture of Kant that emerges from this fascinating study is at once richer and more complex than the straw man who often appears in the works of defenders and detractors alike."-- "American Political Science Review"

"Velkley handles his subject with skill and style, moving easily from Rousseau to Kant, and from the latter's earlier to his later works. This is a significant piece of scholarship not merely for its historical insights but also because of the new focus it provides for interpreting Kant's philosophy as a whole."-- "Ethics"

"Velkley has produced an outstanding philosophical work on the late modern problem of the relation between reason and freedom." -- "Review of Politics"

"Velkley's reconstruction of Kant's encounter with Rousseau is sufficiently interesting to reward the reader of this thoughtful and impressively researched book. By leaving aside stale debates about 'influence' in favor of an account of how one philosopher creatively responded to the challenges posed by another, Velkley provides a useful model of how scholars should deal with encounters between great minds."-- "Political Theory"

About the Author

Richard L. Velkley is the Celia Scott Weatherhead Professor of Philosophy at Tulane University. He is the author of many books, including Being after Rousseau and Heidegger, Strauss, and the Premises of Philosophy, both also published by the University of Chicago Press.