Reconstruction of the Kingdom of Morality

Author: Li Shuren
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-04-01
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 question is merely an introductory issue in Kant's critical philosophy, 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 future metaphysics have the possibility of reconstruction. This possibility is closely linked to human morality and is manifested in the form of metaphysics of morality. Therefore, the establishment of the 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.