Abstract for the Kant in Asia
International Conference
at Hong Kong Baptist
University
20-23 May 2009
Rein Vos,
“Doing Good or
Right? – Kant's Critique on Confucius Regarding Personhood, Autonomy and
Humanity amongst Rulers and Their Executives in Society”
Kant and Kantian philosophy have
received much inspiring attention from Chinese philosophy. However, Kant has been
critical on Chinese philosophy, as in his Physical Geography: “Confucius
teaches in his writings nothing outside a moral doctrine designed for princes
(…) and offers examples of former Chinese princes (…) But
a concept of virtue and morality never entered the heads of the Chinese”. Most
authors read this quotation from his
epistemology (the ‘Critiques’), philosophy of religion, or his ethics. In this
paper I will read Kant as a pragmatist, political philosopher, addressing the
topic of personhood, morality and power in politics and the ruling class.
Understanding that Kant was arguing against Machiavellian-kind of politics and
political philosophy may shed light on what he was opposing against certain
strands in Chinese philosophy.