China Social Sciences Doctoral Dissertation Library - The Reconstruction of the Moral Kingdom

Author: Li Shuren
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-05-01
Features: The study of Kantian philosophy has a history of two hundred years. However, it has always been subjected to misinterpretation or misunderstanding. This thesis attempts to correct the previous misunderstanding of Kantian philosophy as epistemology by examining two divisions of reason in Kant. It clearly points out that the epistemological issue in Kant's critical philosophy is merely an introductory question, intended to lead to the fundamental task of reconstructing future metaphysics, thereby achieving Kant's fundamental goal of "limiting knowledge and leaving room for faith." This does not mean that Kant's critical philosophy is religious, but rather that only by ending epistemology and entering the transcendental realm can there be the possibility of reconstructing future metaphysics. This possibility is closely linked to human morality and is manifested in the form of metaphysics of morality. Therefore, the establishment of metaphysics of morality becomes the essential embodiment of Kantian philosophy. This thesis argues that the purpose of Kant's moral philosophy is not to establish a moral ideal kingdom for humanity, but to ground traditional moral philosophy on the novel foundation of freedom and reason, thereby reconstructing the moral kingdom of humanity.