Critique of the Critique: A Kantian Commentary

Author: Li Zehou
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2003-10-01
Features: Critique of Critical Philosophy was written during the "Cultural Revolution" and first published in the spring of 1979. A reader remarked that it was only after reading this book that they understood what philosophy truly was. Two renowned American-Chinese scholars agreed without hesitation that this book is the best Chinese work on Kantian philosophy. It breaks away from conventional argumentative modes, discusses the pivotal significance of Kant's transcendentalism in the history of philosophy, and explores the main philosophical issues in the three major fields of epistemology (truth), ethics (goodness), and aesthetics and teleology (beauty). The author creatively applies the perspective of practice to analyze each of these issues in detail, thereby articulating his own philosophical views. He emphasizes that the use and creation of tools are the foundation of human society, responding to Kant's famous question, "How is it possible for humans?" This edition includes revisions by the author. This book is one of the author's most influential works.
Chapter 1: The Sources and Development of Kantian Thought
1. "Kantian philosophy is the German theory of the French Revolution." If the style of Critique of Pure Reason is like Kant's monotonous life, its content reflects the entire era.
2. Kant's political stance: Advocating a republican regime, demanding "freedom of the pen," and opposing violent revolution.
3. The relationship between Kant and pre-Kantian philosophy. Newton (science) and Rousseau (democracy) were the two most influential figures on Kant.
4. Kant in the 1750s. His works on natural science exhibit the characteristics of a philosopher; he emphasized methodology, holistic perspectives, and theoretical generalizations. Works such as General Natural History and Theory of the Heavens.
5. Kant in the 1760s. Troubled by issues related to science, religion, and metaphysics, with a tendency toward empiricism. Works such as On the Sensible and Intelligible World.
6. The "Antinomies" awakened Kant from the "dream of dogmatism." From his appointment to the three Critiques.
7. The dual nature of the bourgeoisie in German cultural giants. Kant and Goethe.
Chapter 2: Epistemology: (I) The Problem Posed
Chapter 3: Epistemology: (II) Space and Time
Chapter 4: Epistemology: (III) Categories
Chapter 5: Epistemology: (IV) "Self-Consciousness"
Chapter 6: Epistemology: (V) "Antinomies"
Chapter 7: Epistemology: (VI) "Things-in-Themselves"
Chapter 8: Ethics (Part 1): The Moral Law
Chapter 9: Ethics (Part 2): Views on Religion, Politics, and History
Chapter 10: Aesthetics and Teleology