Critique of Practical Reason

Sinto que talvez deva-se ler antes a Fundamentação da metafísica dos costumes, mas o fato é que a segunda crítica, enquanto de linguajar tão complicado quanto o da primeira crítica (a obra prima), não entrega, apesar de todos esforços argumentativos ponderados, nada que seja surpreendente nem consegue, no esforço de conciliação com a cristandade, convencer. A impressão é que a via de escape dos limites da razão pura (especulativa) já foram definidos, e que a exposição do como-se moral apoia-se demais no desconhecimento da existência de traçados psicológicos como a psicopatia. O arcabouço é de fato muito interessante, com a diferenciação entre inclinações e o dever moral (que é intelectual e construído numa show more remissão à razão, acima da vontade de prazeres individuais), e a noção do mundo do entendimento, onde devemos tomar-nos como causas de nossas ações, mostrando um caráter de natureza suprassensível da nossa normatividade, é imprescindível, ao meu ver. Mas a derivação do postulado da razão prática da eternidade da alma a partir da de santidade e sumo bem, bem como a de Deus como arquiteto da existência são bastante insatisfatórias, se já não as pressupomos como necessárias (taí o tom conciliatório com a religião administrada). O céu estrelado sobre mim e a lei moral em mim. Seria melhor dizer: o céu estrelado acima e a lei moral sobre nós, por favor. show less

I found this work very hard to follow. Kant is differentiating what can be determined by reason. He focuses on discovering what can be determined by will (i.e., there is freedom to select something) vs. what already exists a priori. This search for both flexible and inflexible "truth" leads to a discussion of spirituality, and good and bad. The difference between Kant and others is that Kant seeks to "harmonize" rather than reconcile" philosophical points. The Fundamental Law of Pure, Practical Reason: "Act so that the maxim of your will can be valid at the same time as a principle of universal legislation." Kant attempts to climb higher than the mere desires of the Epicureans, heading toward something spiritual but elected via pure show more reason. I find it a hard climb to make. The bulk of this work heads toward a moralistic proof of good and evil and the proof of causality based merely on the possibility of it. Based on practical reason, there are only good and bad objects. show less

The book frameworks a set of conditions for practical and speculative reason. Kant traces the logical necessity of the highest good in the composition of the moral law, as well as the role of reason against the inferior faculties of desire and feeling. I read this in succession with 'The Fundamentals of the Metaphysics of Ethics' and Kant's 'Political Writings', both having made an indelible impression on my intellectual and moral sensibilities. The authorship was spectacular and the reading was quick. I realise now that the translations of both is something I should have been grateful for because Lewis White Beck's translation did not carry the flavour of rational sublimity, and my enthusiasm for Kantian writing (more than the content) show more waned at the final chapters. This sits far below 'The Fundamentals of the Metaphysics of Ethics', but the 'Critique of Practical Reason' makes for a decent supplementary text. show less

Two things fill the mind with ever new and increasing admiration and reverence, the more often and more steadily one reflects on them: the starry heavens above me and the moral law within me. I do not need to search for them and merely conjecture them as though they were veiled in obscurity or in the transcendent region beyond my horizon; I see them before me and connect them immediately with the consciousness of my existence.

100 KAN 4

12/7/21

Awesome !