Book

Kant on Self-Control

This Element considers Kant's conception of self-control and the role it plays in his moral philosophy. It offers a detailed interpretation of the different terms used by Kant to explain the phenomenon of moral self-control, such as 'autocracy' and 'inner freedom'.

Author

Marijana Vujošević

Date

31 May 2024

Links

Cambridge Core University Press

Marijana Vujošević, Kant on Self-Control, CUP, is now available online (free access until 12 June 2024), via this link:
Kant on Self-Control (cambridge.org)

Following Kant's own suggestions, the proposed reading examines the Kantian capacity for self-control as an ability to 'abstract from' various sensible impressions by looking beyond their influence on the mind. This analysis shows that Kant's conception of moral self-control involves two intimately related levels, which need not meet the same criteria. One level is associated with realizing various ends, the other with setting moral ends. The proposed view most effectively accommodates self-control's role in the adoption of virtuous maxims and ethical end-setting. It explains why self-control is central to Kant's conception of virtue and sheds new light on his discussions of moral strength and moral weakness.

Text and photo from:  Kant on Self-Control (cambridge.org)