Choosing Freedom - A Kantian Guide to Life

Could a long-dead German philosopher have anything useful to say about how you should live your life? In the case of Immanuel Kant, the answer is yes. Although Kant is best known for his abstract ethical writings, you might be surprised to learn that this philosophical giant had things to say about gossiping, doing favors, getting drunk, telling white lies, and being a good dinner party guest. This book will help you understand the essential framework of Kant'sethical theory, with its emphasis on rationality, freedom, and hopefulness. It will show you what it means to live in a Kantian way, and how valuable it can be to do so.

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An exploration of everything Kant's philosophy can teach us about being the best people we can be, from using our human reasoning to its fullest potential to being affably drunk at dinner parties.Immanuel Kant is well known as one of the towering figures of Western philosophical history, but he is less well known for his savvy advice about hosting dinner parties. This philosophical genius was a man of many interests and talents: his famously formal and abstract ethical system is only part of his story. But Kant not only made a profound impact on how people think about big questions like how to treat one another-he also offered wise insights on things people confront in everyday life:things like gossip, friendship, manners, self-respect, cheerfulness, gratitude, mockery, contempt, and yes, dinner parties. In this book, philosopher Karen Stohr shows you how Kant's whole ethical picture fits together. It's a picture that is as relevant and useful now as it was in the 18thcentury-and maybe even more so. A Kantian way of living means using reason to guide your choices so that your life reflects your true nature as a free, rational being. This nature is one we share with others; Kantianism emphasizes the fundamental dignity and equality of each person. It presents an ideal for how we should live together without downplaying the challenges we face in the actual world. Though realistic about human weaknesses, Kant remained optimistic about our capacities and possibilities. He had great faith inthe ability of human reason to point us in the direction of moral progress and to get us there. Each of us has the power within us to know and choose the right path-we just have to be willing to make that choice, and to discover how worthwhile life can be in the process.

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In this accessible and compelling book, Karen Stohr captures the beauty, elegance, and wisdom of Kants system of moral philosophy without sacrificing its complexity. Emphasizing the importance of understanding our all-too-human fallibilities, Stohrs Kant shows us how to engage in honest self-assessment, avoid the temptations of self-deception, and do the hard but necessary work required to become a better person. Carol Hay, author of Think Like a Feminist: The Philosophy Behind the Revolution