The Fate of Dignity: How Words Matter
-
Karl Ameriks
Abstract
In recent years, Kant views on dignity have been challenged by a wave of attacks from authors, outside and inside of philosophy, who criticize his remarks for their connection with serious evils such as racism and anti-Semitism. I compare and contrast two recent critiques along this line-one by Michael Lackey, on how Kant’s terms were used by H.S. Chamberlain and the fascists, and one by Paul Franks, who puts several of Kant’s distressing comments in the context of German Idealism and anti-Judaism in general. I also draw on insights by Charles W. Mills and Lucy Allais, which point toward a diagnosis of the kind of “cognitive blindness” that Kant and others have exhibited on these issues. After taking into account his surprising attitude toward people in North America, I argue that Kant’s errors are not simply a matter of racism but should be understood as rooted in broader blindnesses about cultures (even ones that he takes to be of the same race) outside his northern European Protestant background.
Abstract
In recent years, Kant views on dignity have been challenged by a wave of attacks from authors, outside and inside of philosophy, who criticize his remarks for their connection with serious evils such as racism and anti-Semitism. I compare and contrast two recent critiques along this line-one by Michael Lackey, on how Kant’s terms were used by H.S. Chamberlain and the fascists, and one by Paul Franks, who puts several of Kant’s distressing comments in the context of German Idealism and anti-Judaism in general. I also draw on insights by Charles W. Mills and Lucy Allais, which point toward a diagnosis of the kind of “cognitive blindness” that Kant and others have exhibited on these issues. After taking into account his surprising attitude toward people in North America, I argue that Kant’s errors are not simply a matter of racism but should be understood as rooted in broader blindnesses about cultures (even ones that he takes to be of the same race) outside his northern European Protestant background.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Acknowledgements V
- Contents VII
- Abbreviations of Kant’s Works IX
- Introduction 1
- Absoluteness and Contingency. Kant’s Use of the Concept of Dignity 11
- From Würde to Würde der Kreatur 31
- Kant’s Theory of Dignity: A Fitting-Attitude Analysis of a Value 49
- A Semi-Kantian Account of Dignity. Passing the Buck whilst Regulating Reasons for Human Rights 73
- Kantian Dignity Semantics. An unreliable Resource for Human Rights Culture 97
- The Moralization of Human Dignity in Kant’s Ethics 121
- Kant’s “Idea” of Dignity. Value and Moral Elevation in the Groundlaying 139
- How to Respect Someone’s Dignity 159
- The Kingdom of Ends as an Ideal and a Constraint on Moral Legislation 177
- In the Realm of Ends – Kant on Autonomy and Dignity 195
- End in Itself and Dignity 211
- The Heuristic Use of the Concept of Dignity in Kantian Philosophy 231
- The Fate of Dignity: How Words Matter 261
- The dignity of the state in Kant’s Doctrine of Right 283
- Kant on patriotism: ‘civic dignity’ and ‘way of thinking’ 303
- List of Contributors 325
- Index 327
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Acknowledgements V
- Contents VII
- Abbreviations of Kant’s Works IX
- Introduction 1
- Absoluteness and Contingency. Kant’s Use of the Concept of Dignity 11
- From Würde to Würde der Kreatur 31
- Kant’s Theory of Dignity: A Fitting-Attitude Analysis of a Value 49
- A Semi-Kantian Account of Dignity. Passing the Buck whilst Regulating Reasons for Human Rights 73
- Kantian Dignity Semantics. An unreliable Resource for Human Rights Culture 97
- The Moralization of Human Dignity in Kant’s Ethics 121
- Kant’s “Idea” of Dignity. Value and Moral Elevation in the Groundlaying 139
- How to Respect Someone’s Dignity 159
- The Kingdom of Ends as an Ideal and a Constraint on Moral Legislation 177
- In the Realm of Ends – Kant on Autonomy and Dignity 195
- End in Itself and Dignity 211
- The Heuristic Use of the Concept of Dignity in Kantian Philosophy 231
- The Fate of Dignity: How Words Matter 261
- The dignity of the state in Kant’s Doctrine of Right 283
- Kant on patriotism: ‘civic dignity’ and ‘way of thinking’ 303
- List of Contributors 325
- Index 327
