KANT'S PHILOSOPHY AS POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY

Kant's philosophical investigation aims at overcoming the discrepancy between what man ought to do in theory and what he does in practice. Rather than viewing the discrepancy between theory and practice as the inevitable consequence of man's imperfect nature, Kant asserts that it is due to a misunderstanding of the power of reason. Central to Kant's resolution is his critique of pure reason. When reason is rightly understood as a practical power over nature, then what is right in theory must thereby work in practice. Kant's account of the epistemological and moral/practical foundations for a resolution of the theory/practice discrepancy has an essentially political significance. His critical transformation of reason into a practical power results in the complete politicization of philosophical thought.;By reference to the Platonic philosophical position Kant sought to replace, this study examines the most important critical works in order to demonstrate that Kant's critical philosophy is essentially an investigation in political philosophy. Chapter II argues that critical philosophy is motivated by a practical concern to overcome the effects of philosophical fanaticism by establishing service to the interests of humanity as the only philosophical purpose. Chapter III shows that the Critique of Pure Reason establishes a scientific foundation for a reconciliation of the interests of philosophy and humanity by eliminating theoretical knowledge. Chapter IV examines the Foundations of the Metaphysics of Morals to show how knowledge of the categorical imperative satisfies the philosopher's need for a knowledge that is desirable for its own sake. Chapter V analyzes the Metaphysics of Morals to show that the laws of reason provide a realizable standard of perfect justice understood as an exact proportion between happiness and moral worth. Chapter VI explains how a practical contemplation of moral humanity substitutes for traditional theoretical knowledge. Chapter VII argues that the critical philosopher assumes the political function of guardian in order to overcome the differences between the philosopher and humanity and to secure a reconciliation of theory and practice. Chapter VIII elucidates the implications of certain defects of the categorical imperative.