In person icon Crisis and Critique: Current Challenges and Kantian Perspectives

Abstract

Against the background of the overall topic of the section, this panel will take different current challenges into view from a Kantian or Kantian-inspired perspective. The common starting point of the papers assembled on this panel is the insight that the political, economic, or social challenges can be met only under the precondition of a critical attitude and the willingness to constantly review one’s own views in the light of universal principles. In order to address challenges of the “Age of Polycrisis” as discussed in the framework of the section in general, the panel will start with the attempt to determine certain key features of Kant’s concept of critique and it will be examined how this conception of critique could be used as tool in polemical, public debates. The primary goal will be to ask inasmuch Kant’s philosophy may help to structure public debates. A Kantian inspired critical attitude appears to be essential especially with regard to challenges such as, e.g., fake news or scepticism towards science broadly construed. In this context, it will be necessary to broaden the scope of examination and to include into the consideration not only Kant’s political but also his theoretical writings. What will be of interest here is that Kant’s theoretical writings are formulated by way of an intrinsic political language. Thus, it will be possible to determine Kant’s critical project as such (i.e., in both its theoretical and practical dimension) as relevant for the development of successful strategies to counter the aforementioned challenges. Against the background of these rather methodological considerations, the panel will turn to a reflection on the role of Kantian inspired critical thinking within democratic societies. Of peculiar interest will be certain developments in Western European societies after the end of Worl War Two. The question here is inasmuch emancipatory movements can or must be understood through the lens of Kantian critical categories. In this context, the main question to be addressed is what critical thinking could mean today. Furthermore, it will be necessary to include Kant’s concept of the state and the division of powers into the consideration. The question will be raised which preconditions must be met with regard to the fundamental organisational structure of states in order to realise critical potentials within modern societies. Last but not least, the panel aims to take also concrete policy questions into view. How could it be possible, e.g., to shape public health systems in the light of the principles provided by Kant’s critical project? By comprising a great variety of approaches and focuses, the panel aims to demonstrate the broad field of possible application of Kant’s theories and concepts. Thus, the panel will show that Kantian or Kantian inspired thought provides indispensable tools for the mastery of the “Age of Polycrisis”.

Title	Details
Trias Politica: The Trinitarian Conception of the Powers of the State in Kant’s Theory of Law (Rechtslehre)	View Paper Details
Crisis and Critique: The Political Language of Kant’s Theoretical Philosophy	View Paper Details
Kant’s Socratic Method and the Problem of Polemics	View Paper Details
Kritik Der Kritik: Critical Theory in a Time of Crisis	View Paper Details
Vulnerability and Humanity: Contemporary Crises in Healthcare	View Paper Details