Kant Religion within the Boundaries of Mere Reason A Commentary [Paperback]

A rigorous and comprehensive commentary, showing how the Religion develops key themes in Kant's mature philosophy.This comprehensive commentary on Kant's Religion explicates major arguments and key themes such as radical evil, the symbolic interpretation of biblical images and passages and the critical analysis of ecclesial institutions. It discusses the significance of the Religion to Kant's mature thinking and is of interest to scholars and students.This comprehensive commentary on Kant's Religion explicates major arguments and key themes such as radical evil, the symbolic interpretation of biblical images and passages and the critical analysis of ecclesial institutions. It discusses the significance of the Religion to Kant's mature thinking and is of interest to scholars and students.Kant's Religion within the Boundaries of Mere Reason is one of the great modern examinations of religion's meaning, function and impact on human affairs. In this volume, the first complete English-language commentary on the work, James J. DiCenso explains the historical context in which the book appeared, including the importance of Kant's conflict with state censorship. He shows how the Religion addresses crucial Kantian themes such as the relationship between freedom and morality, the human propensity to evil, the status of historical traditions in relation to ethical principles, and the interface between individual ethics and social institutions. The major arguments are clearly and precisely explained, and the themes are highlighted and located within Kant's mature critical philosophy, especially his ethics. The commentary will be valuable for all who are interested in the continuing relevance of religion for contemporary inquiries into ethics, public institutions and religious traditions.Acknowledgments; Abbreviations; 1. Introductory: religion through the lens of practical reason; 2. Kant's prefaces to the first and second editions; 3. Religion part one: concerning the indwellinl7