Summary:
This paper takes the comparison of Kant's and Heidegger's conceptions of freedom as a starting point, and discusses the differences in their theoretical positioning and understanding, as well as their implications for each other. Kant emphasized the rational autonomy and moral responsibility of the individual, and placed freedom under the framework of reason, which provided a theoretical basis for the establishment of moral law, the education and development of the individual, and the construction of democratic politics. Heidegger, on the other hand, believes that freedom and being are closely linked, which is one of the basic characteristics of existence, which provides a new perspective for the individual's practical activities and participation, social change and development, as well as the individual's lifestyle and life values.
I. Preamble
Freedom has always been one of the central issues in philosophical discourse. Kant and Heidegger, as one of the most important thinkers in modern philosophy, have profound and unique insights into the understanding and interpretation of freedom. Their conceptions of freedom have both similarities and significant differences. By comparing Kant's and Heidegger's theories of freedom, we can delve into the nature of freedom and its importance in the human mind.
II. Comparison of Kant's and Heidegger's conceptions of freedom
A. Overview of Kant's Theory of Freedom
Kant's understanding of freedom can be traced back to his works Critique of Pure Reason and Critique of Practical Reason. He saw freedom as the faculty of reason, and on a moral level, freedom was seen as the basis for action. According to Kant, freedom is not an arbitrary action, but an action subject to the laws of reason. This means that freedom is not disordered, but consistent with the moral law.
B. Heidegger's critique of Kant's theory of freedom
Heidegger offers a critique of Kant's theory of freedom, focusing on Kant's idea of bringing freedom into the framework of reason and moral law. Heidegger argues that Kant's conception of freedom ignores the nature of being. He pointed out that freedom should not be understood merely as a subordination to the moral law, but in terms of existence itself. According to Heidegger, freedom is a quality of being, an openness and liberation to the world.
C. A Review of Heidegger's View of Freedom
Heidegger's conception of freedom, emphasizing the understanding of being, transcends Kant's limitations in bringing freedom into the framework of rational law. He sought to liberate the concept of freedom beyond the moral category and to become a fundamental feature of existence. However, Heidegger's conception of freedom has also been criticized for being too abstract, lacking practicality, and to a certain extent ignoring the limitations of individual freedom under social and moral norms.
III. Heidegger's View of Freedom
A. Heidegger's reinterpretation of causality
In Heidegger's philosophical system, he reinterprets causality, in contrast to Kant's view. Kant argues that causality is a category of reason, a construct that we subjectively impose on the empirical world, and Heidegger seeks to transcend this subjective conception. According to Heidegger, causality cannot be understood merely as the mental structure of the subject, but as a manifestation of being itself. He places causality in the category of existence, arguing that existence itself is a manifestation of continuity and change, and that causality is one of the manifestations of existence. Heidegger's reinterpretation breaks down the limitations of causality in traditional philosophy, making it a description of being rather than a mere explanation of experience.
B. Kant's Transcendental Idea of Freedom and Heidegger's Critique
Kant's idea of transcendental freedom emphasizes the self-discipline of free will, placing freedom within the framework of reason and moral law. However, Heidegger criticizes this, arguing that Kant failed to deeply understand the meaning of the existence of freedom. Heidegger points out that Kant's conception of freedom ignores the root nature of existence, confines freedom to the realm of reason, and fails to recognize freedom as a quality of existence. He criticized Kant for failing to transcend the limits of subjectivity and to truly understand the relationship between freedom and existence. Thus, Heidegger argues for the liberation of the potential of freedom by going beyond Kant's view and placing it back in the context of being.
C. The relationship between freedom of practice and freedom of existence
Heidegger emphasizes the close connection between the freedom of practice and the freedom of being. He believed that the practice of freedom is not only a subordination to the moral law, but more importantly an expression of the liberation and openness of existence. Heidegger focuses on the individual's position in being, emphasizing the process by which the individual realizes freedom through practice. He argues that the freedom of being is not a rational concept, but is achieved through a deep understanding and participation in existence. Therefore, the freedom of practice is inseparable from the freedom of existence, and both point to the individual's active participation in and shaping of existence.
IV. Comparison of the philosophical foundations of Kant's and Heidegger's conception of freedom
A. The Subject of Freedom and the Perspective of "Capacity".
From Kant to Heidegger, the understanding of freedom lies in the positioning of subjectivity and the presentation of agency. Kant regarded freedom as a product of reason, and believed that freedom lies in the self-discipline of the subject and the regularity of reason. In his system, freedom exists on the basis of moral law and the autonomy of reason. However, Heidegger challenges this, arguing that freedom is not just an attribute of the subject, but more importantly a quality of being.
In Heidegger's view, freedom does not belong only to the subject, but to the atmosphere of the whole world. He places freedom in the context of existence and considers it one of the basic characteristics of existence. This transformation allows freedom to be no longer confined to the subjective will of the individual, but to be integrated into the whole picture of existence. Heidegger seeks to liberate freedom beyond the limits of subjectivity and become a natural expression of being.
B. The relationship between existence and freedom
Kant emphasized the connection between freedom and reason, the moral law, placing it within the framework of reason. Heidegger's view, however, links freedom to being. He argues that existence itself is an expression of freedom, and therefore freedom should not be confined to the realm of reason or moral law. Heidegger associates freedom with the continuity and change of being as one of the essential attributes of being.
The relationship between being and freedom is profoundly illustrated in Heidegger's philosophy. He believes that the freedom of existence is embodied in the practical activities of the individual, and the practical activities are the active participation and shaping of existence. Freedom, therefore, is not an abstract rational concept, but is achieved through a deep understanding of and participation in existence.
C. Comparison of the advantages and limitations of the concept of freedom
Kant's conception of freedom emphasizes the importance of autonomy and reason, placing freedom within the framework of reason, thus establishing a system of moral law. However, Heidegger's critique of Kant points out its limitations, arguing that Kant failed to deeply understand the existential meaning of freedom and to transcend the limits of subjectivity.
Heidegger seeks to liberate freedom, to put it back in the context of being. He emphasized the close connection between the freedom of practice and the freedom of existence, and believed that freedom is not only an attribute of the subject, but also a manifestation of existence. This reinterpretation provides us with a new perspective on understanding freedom, helping to delve into the nature of freedom and what it means in human life.
However, Heidegger's view also has certain limitations, as he fails to give a clear definition of freedom and a specific way to achieve it in practice. In addition, he emphasized the close connection between freedom and existence, but this can also lead to the absolutization of freedom, ignoring the subjectivity of the individual and the influence of the social environment.
V. The theoretical significance and practical value of Kant and Heidegger's conception of freedom
A. The theoretical significance and practical application of Kant's concept of freedom
Kant's conception of freedom emphasizes the autonomy of the individual and the importance of reason, placing freedom within the framework of reason. This theoretical significance has far-reaching applications in reality. First, Kant's conception of freedom provided the basis for the establishment of the moral law. He believed that the individual achieves freedom by formulating moral principles through the autonomy of reason and acting on the basis of them. This theory establishes a moral framework for society, guides individual behavior, and promotes the stability and progress of social order.
Secondly, Kant's concept of freedom is of guiding significance for the education and development of individuals. He emphasized that individuals should achieve true freedom by choosing their own lifestyle and goals through rational autonomy. In educational practice, this means cultivating the individual's rational thinking and autonomy, and guiding him to establish correct moral concepts and codes of conduct. In this way, individuals can better adapt to the development needs of society and achieve harmonious development of individuals and society.
Finally, Kant's conception of freedom also provides theoretical support for democratic political systems. Democratic politics emphasizes the equal rights and free choice of individuals, and Kant's concept of freedom emphasizes the rational autonomy and moral responsibility of individuals, which is consistent with the core values of democratic politics. Therefore, Kant's concept of freedom provides a theoretical basis for the construction of democratic politics and contributes to the stability and development of society and politics.
B. The theoretical significance and practical application of Heidegger's concept of freedom
Heidegger's conception of freedom places freedom in the context of being and emphasizes that freedom is one of the basic characteristics of being. This theoretical significance also has important applications in reality. First, Heidegger's conception of freedom emphasizes the practical activity and participation of the individual in existence. He believes that freedom is not only an attribute of the subject, but also a manifestation of existence. In real life, this means that individuals achieve freedom through a deep understanding and participation in existence. Therefore, Heidegger's concept of freedom provides theoretical guidance for the individual's practical activities, and encourages the individual to actively participate in social life and give full play to his creativity and practical ability.
Second, Heidegger's concept of freedom has implications for social change and development. He emphasized the close connection between freedom and existence, and believed that freedom is one of the basic characteristics of existence. In the process of social change and development, the practical activities of individuals and the participation of existence play an important role. Heidegger's concept of freedom provides a new theoretical perspective for social change, emphasizes the importance of individual practical activities and existential participation for social development, and provides theoretical guidance for social change and development.
Finally, Heidegger's concept of freedom also has guiding significance for the individual's lifestyle and life values. He emphasized that the individual achieves freedom through a deep understanding and participation in existence, which means that the individual should actively participate in social life and use his creativity and practical abilities. Heidegger's concept of freedom provides a new theoretical perspective for the individual's lifestyle and life values, emphasizing that the individual should pursue truth, practice freedom and respect the existence of others, and provide theoretical guidance for the individual's lifestyle and life values.
C. Contrast and Enlightenment of Kant's and Heidegger's Conception of Freedom
There are obvious differences between Kant's and Heidegger's conceptions of freedom in terms of positioning and understanding of freedom, but they also inspire each other. Kant emphasized the rational autonomy and moral responsibility of the individual, and placed freedom under the framework of reason, which provided an important theoretical basis for the establishment of the moral law, the education and development of the individual, and the construction of democratic politics.
Heidegger, on the other hand, emphasizes the close connection between freedom and being, and believes that freedom is one of the basic characteristics of existence, which provides a new theoretical perspective for the individual's practical activities and participation in existence, social change and development, and the individual's lifestyle and life values. Therefore, Kant's and Heidegger's conceptions of freedom complement each other theoretically and enlighten each other, providing us with important ideological resources for in-depth exploration of the nature of freedom and its significance in human life.
VI. Conclusion
By comparing Kant's and Heidegger's conceptions of freedom, we can see the differences in their respective theoretical positions and understandings, as well as their implications for each other. Kant's concept of freedom emphasizes the rational autonomy and moral responsibility of the individual, and places freedom under the framework of reason, which provides an important theoretical basis for the establishment of moral law, the education and development of individuals, and the construction of democratic politics.
Heidegger's concept of freedom, on the other hand, emphasizes the close connection between freedom and existence, and believes that freedom is one of the basic characteristics of existence, which provides a new theoretical perspective for the individual's practical activities and participation in existence, social change and development, and the individual's lifestyle and life values. Although there are differences between the two views of freedom, they are both of great significance in enlightening the free development of individuals, social change, and the construction of democratic politics.
Author: Lu Xilin
Bibliography:
Heidegger, M. (1955). "Plato's Doctrine of Truth." In Martin Heidegger: Basic Writings, edited by David Farrell Krell. Harper & Row.
Heidegger, M. (1967). "The Essence of Truth." In Basic Writings, edited by David Farrell Krell. Harper & Row.
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