Fallen Freedom Kant on Radical Evil and Moral Regeneration [Paperback]

A clear exposition of evil and moral regeneration as they appear in Kant's late work Religion Within the Limits of Reason Alone (1793).A clear exposition of evil and moral regeneration as they appear in Kant's late work Religion Within the Limits of Reason Alone (1793). Professor Michalson examines a doctrine of 'radical evil' which much resembles the Christian doctrine of original sin, and shows that Kant is only able to save his philosopher's credentials at the cost of appearing deeply ambivalent regarding the relationships between divine action and human antonomy.A clear exposition of evil and moral regeneration as they appear in Kant's late work Religion Within the Limits of Reason Alone (1793). Professor Michalson examines a doctrine of 'radical evil' which much resembles the Christian doctrine of original sin, and shows that Kant is only able to save his philosopher's credentials at the cost of appearing deeply ambivalent regarding the relationships between divine action and human antonomy.This work offers a clear exposition of evil and moral regeneration as they appear in Kant's late work Religion Within the Limits of Reason Alone. Michalson examines a doctrine of radical evil which he sees as strongly resembling the Christian doctrine of original sin. In the author's view, Kant compromises his position as a result of this throwback to the Christian tradition, which is at odds with some of the basic tenets of the Enlightenment. Kant is thus seen to be deeply ambivalent in the philosophy he puts forward when he talks about divine action, on the one hand, and human autonomy, on the other.Preface; Introduction; Part I. Radical Evil: 1. Ivan and Kant; 2. Kant's definition of moral evil; 3. 'This evil is radical &'; Part II. Moral Regeneration: 4. A 'change of heart'; 5. Moral regeneration, human autonomy and divine aid; 6. Autonomy and atonement; 7. Autonomy and transcendence; Notes; Select bibliography; Index.