Category Archives: kant

On Susan Shell’s "Kant’s Theory of Property:" The Possibility of Self-Knowledge

Note: Major editing complete 8/01/07. It is now possible to learn from this essay. The whole of Kant is concerned with alienation. Man is alienated from the earth – he returns to it on its terms, and no earthly enterprise is guaranteed success. Further, if reason can be said to be characteristic of divinity, man …

August 1, 2007 – 4:38 am | By ashok | Posted in kant, philosophy | Comments (2)

On Blogging, Having An Opinion, and the Quality and Trustworthiness of Your Voice

Way too long: the essential point is that bloggers were paid to not merely run ads, but promote the content of those ads I feel sorry for Jeff Jarvis, because he’s fighting the good fight, and I’m not sure how this war is to be waged. Can we tell people that getting paid to promote …

June 26, 2007 – 8:00 am | By ashok | Posted in blogging, kant, media | Tagged | Comments (6)

Note on "Perpetual Peace"

What makes Kant’s short essay remarkable is the light it sheds on Rousseau’s “general will.” For Kant, reason is the general will – hence, Rousseau’s talk of a legislator begins to make more sense. There can be one person who understands what is best for the many; the trick is to bring the many to …

August 22, 2006 – 4:35 pm | By ashok | Posted in kant, philosophy | Comments (2)

Does Power Corrupt?

“That kings should be philosophers, or philosophers kings is neither to be expected nor to be desired, for the possession of power inevitably corrupts reason’s free judgement.” – Kant, Perpetual Peace Kant is an amazing thinker, but this quote is nowhere near subtle enough to get at the truth. The truth is that someone must …

August 17, 2006 – 10:51 am | By ashok | Posted in kant, philosophy | Comments (2)