Kant and Universalism from a Global Perspective

Is Kant’s universalism Eurocentric? How can or should it be further developed with regard to different expectations in different parts of the world today?

The philosophy of Immanuel Kant was not only received globally, but, in many respects, also is itself a global philosophy. Kant often formulated his political and social considerations in a way, which explicitly transcends or defies national borders. His universalistic approach led him to the concept of a worldwide peace order, to precursors to the right of political asylum, to a theory of globalized trade, as well as to a critique of colonialism. At the same time, some aspects of his philosophy, such as his definitions of Enlightenment, of progress, and of a universally valid morality, had global implications, which seem to contradict the aforementioned ideas. So, is Kant’s universalism Eurocentric? How can or should it be further developed with regard to different expectations in different parts of the world today?

An event of the biennial theme 2023|24 “Project: Enlightenment!” of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, supported by the Federal Minister for Culture and Media.

PROGRAMME

Chair: Marcus Willaschek (Member of BBAW, Spokesperson of the biennial theme 2023|24, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main)

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