Description
Book SynopsisIn Kant and Theodicy: A Search for an Answer to the Problem of Evil, George Huxford proves that Kant''s engagement with theodicy was career-long and not confined to his short treatise of 1791, On the Failure of All Attempted Philosophical Theodicies, which dealt explicitly with the subject. Huxford treats Kant''s developing thought on theodicy in three periods, each with its own special character: pre-Critical (exploration), early-Critical (transition), and late-Critical (conclusion). Illustrating the advantage of approaching Kant through this innovative route, Huxford argues that Kant''s stance developed through his career, from an essentially Leibnizian starting point to his own unique authentic theodicy; Kant rejected so-called philosophical theodicies based on theoretical/speculative reason but advanced authentic theodicy grounded in practical reason, finding a middle ground between philosophical theodicy and fideism, both of which he rejected; Kant''s work in natural science and h
Trade Review"From its examination of Kant’s pre-Critical views to the 1791 distinction between doctrinal and authentic theodicy, Kant and Theodicy does an excellent job documenting salient passages, exploring the secondary literature, and evaluating how Kant’s views on theodicy interact with the major elements of his theoretical and practical philosophy. This is a must-read for specialists in Kant’s philosophy of religion, and will be interest to philosophers and theologians alike working on the problem of evil. "--Lawrence Pasternack, Oklahoma State University -- Lawrence Pasternack, Oklahoma State University
Table of ContentsAcknowledgmentsIntroductionPart A - The Pre-Critical Period - A Time of ExplorationChapter 1 - Kant and the Optimism of LeibnizChapter 2 - The Origin and Nature of Evil
Chapter 3 - Is Philosophical Theodicy Possible for Kant?
Part B - The Early Critical Period - A Time of TransitionChapter 4 - Setting the SceneChapter 5 - Aspects of Theodicy
Chapter 6 - Pulling the Strands Together
Part C - The Late Critical Period - A Time of ConclusionChapter 7 - The Failure of Philosophical TheodiciesChapter 8 - The Taxonomy of Evil Revisited
Chapter 9 - Kant's Own Authentic Theodicy
ConclusionBibliography
About the Author
