Kant on human dignity: A conversation among scholars

• Main Author: Enslin, John Victor
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses 01-01-2014
• Subjects: Ethics; Philosophy
• ISBN: 9781303839061; 1303839067

This dissertation aims to examine the notion of 'human dignity' in Kant by means of a conversation with three Kantian scholars. One cannot understand Kant's notion of human dignity without placing it in the context of his moral thought. For this reason we look in Chapter One at the philosopher Roger Sullivan. His major work Immanuel Kant's moral theory includes a highly detailed treatment of human dignity. I shall present an analysis of his understanding within the context of his methodology and his general approach to Kant's moral philosophy. We look in Chapter Two at Susan Shell and her 'Kant on Human Dignity.' In addition to this, we consider Shell's methodology and some of her work on the early Kant where we find the roots of Kant's conception of dignity. Chapter Three addresses Oliver Sensen and his novel interpretation of Kant's use of the term 'dignity.' Utilizing the tools of Analytical Philosophy, he enters into dialogue with Kantian interpreters, suggesting that their understanding of dignity in Kant harbours elements at odds with Kant's thought and that they thus fail to grasp the radical nature of Kant's notion. In the final and Fourth Chapter, I try to bring these scholars into a conversation with each other. First, I show the strengths of each position and then, using insights of Sullivan, Shell and Sensen, I venture to ask whether one could not develop the notion of a phenomenology of dignity. I also consider whether in both Shell's and Sensen's account there is not an implicit dynamic at work, which suggests the necessity of transcendence and the Good.