Is the Universe Moral?
God, Time and History in Kant and Heidegger
In: Journal for Continental Philosophy of ReligionSearch for other papers by William Large in
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Abstract
Kant argues against the ontological argument for the existence of God but replaces it with a moral theism. This article analyses Kant’s moral proof with emphasis on the Critique of the Power of Judgement, and his historical and political writings. It argues that at the heart of this argument is the idea of progress. The concrete content of the moral law is the idea of a just world. Such a just world would be impossible without the idea of God, since there would be no harmony between nature and freedom. It contrasts Kant’s concept of time and history with Heidegger’s. The difference between them is a reversal of modality. For Kant, actuality determines possibility. If I cannot imagine a just word as actual, then I would fall into moral despair. The idea of God grounds this actuality. For Heidegger, possibility is higher than actuality. Since history has no teleology, then no idea of God is required.
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| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 263 | 9 | 0 |
| Full Text Views | 113 | 100 | 18 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 64 | 43 | 5 |
Is the Universe Moral?
God, Time and History in Kant and Heidegger
In: Journal for Continental Philosophy of ReligionSearch for other papers by William Large in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Abstract
Kant argues against the ontological argument for the existence of God but replaces it with a moral theism. This article analyses Kant’s moral proof with emphasis on the Critique of the Power of Judgement, and his historical and political writings. It argues that at the heart of this argument is the idea of progress. The concrete content of the moral law is the idea of a just world. Such a just world would be impossible without the idea of God, since there would be no harmony between nature and freedom. It contrasts Kant’s concept of time and history with Heidegger’s. The difference between them is a reversal of modality. For Kant, actuality determines possibility. If I cannot imagine a just word as actual, then I would fall into moral despair. The idea of God grounds this actuality. For Heidegger, possibility is higher than actuality. Since history has no teleology, then no idea of God is required.
| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 263 | 9 | 0 |
| Full Text Views | 113 | 100 | 18 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 64 | 43 | 5 |
