Kant on Moral Autonomy

The concept of autonomy is one of Kant's central legacies for contemporary moral thought. We often invoke autonomy as both a moral ideal and a human right, especially a right to determine oneself independently of foreign determinants; indeed, to violate a person's autonomy is considered to be a serious moral offence. Yet while contemporary philosophy claims Kant as the originator of its notion of autonomy, Kant's own conception of the term seems to differ in important respects from our present-day interpretation. Kant on Moral Autonomy brings together a distinguished group of scholars who explore the following questions: what is Kant's conception of autonomy? What is its history and its influence on contemporary conceptions? And what is its moral significance? Their essays will be of interest both to scholars and students working on Kantian moral philosophy and to anyone interested in the subject of autonomy.

Introduction Oliver Sensen; Part I. Kant's Conception of Autonomy: 1. Kantian autonomy and contemporary ideas of autonomy Thomas E. Hill, Jr; 2. Kant's conception of autonomy of the will Andrews Reath; 3. Vindicating autonomy Karl Ameriks; 4. Progress toward autonomy Paul Guyer; Part II. The History and Influence of Kant's Conception of Autonomy: 5. Transcending nature, unifying reason: on Kant's debt to Rousseau Richard Velkley; 6. Kant and the 'paradox' of autonomy Susan Meld Shell; 7. Autonomy in Kant and German Idealism Henry E. Allison; 8. Autonomy after Kant J. B. Schneewind; 9. Personal autonomy and public authority Katrin Flikschuh; Part III. The Relevance of Kant's Conception for Contemporary Moral Philosophy: 10. Moralized nature, naturalized autonomy Heiner F. Klemme; 11. Autonomy and moral regard for ends Jens Timmermann; 12. 'A free will and a will under moral laws are the same' Dieter Schönecker; 13. Morality and autonomy Philip Stratton-Lake; 14. The moral importance of autonomy Oliver Sensen; Postscript Onora O'Neill.

Oliver Sensen is Associate Professor in Philosophy at Tulane University. He is the author of Kant on Human Dignity (2011) and co-editor of Kant's Tugendlehre (2012).