tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134782302655515338.post1458966389616097361..comments2023-12-25T05:12:46.199+01:00Comments on ORA ET LABORA: Kantian Reading GroupFelix Culpahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18062279686869827534noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134782302655515338.post-66876119068645863572010-05-11T10:34:19.985+02:002010-05-11T10:34:19.985+02:00I'd say that Matthew (Becoming) has pretty wel...I'd say that Matthew (Becoming) has pretty well hit all the nails on the head. Unless anyone objects to any of his responses, I propose that Matthew now suggest a new theme for discussion.Felix Culpahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18062279686869827534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134782302655515338.post-79289720887255435372010-05-10T16:05:48.946+02:002010-05-10T16:05:48.946+02:001) What, precisely is Metropolitan Anthony arguin...1) What, precisely is Metropolitan Anthony arguing against in his tract against Kant?<br /><br />Answer – Metropolitan Anthony is precisely arguing against Kant’s ability to preserve the practical conclusions that result from the revealed dogmas of the Church and placing these practical conclusions on a foundation of human reason/rationalism. [23]<br /><br />What is he in fact arguing for?<br /><br />Answer – Metropolitan Anthony is arguing for the unity of the “practical conclusions” that result from the dogmas of the Church to stay united to the dogmas of the Church. The dogmas of the Church are the only foundation because any other foundation would alter and undermine the resulting “practical conclusions.” [23]<br /><br />What is actually at stake?<br /><br />Answer – What is actually at stake is the empirical validity of knowledge and the historical validity of the Gospel revelation.<br /><br />2) To what extent is Metropolitan Anthony contradicting Kant?<br /><br />Answer – Metropolitan Anthony contradicts Kant regarding:<br />i) the categorical imperative as the replacement to the Dogmas of the Church in being the ground for moral autonomy;<br />ii) the moral conscience as being objective and absolute because the reason there is a moral conscience is not objective but subjective (Met. Anthony does not deny the former but denies that it can have any authority when based on the latter);<br />iii) the denial of the ethical value of empirical data in favor of only a priori knowledge having ethical value; and<br />iv) the concept of a morally perfect man as not being inspiring enough in light of the Christian revelation.<br /><br />To what extent is Metropolitan Anthony following Kant’s own line of reasoning but draws his own conclusions?<br /><br />Answer – Metropolitan Anthony follows Kant’s own line of reasoning but draws his own conclusions in the following areas:<br />i) that the moral conscious is autonomous, objective and absolute;<br />ii) that the concept of a morally perfect man could offer a certain moral strength for people;<br />iii) that a feeling of inner dissonance and a need for renewal cause a deep suffering or torment because the evil inclinations of the will which are being overcome have deep roots into the very nature of man and have become habitual (and, suffering comes from the process of rebirth and forsaking evil) [43-44]<br /><br />3) What is the relationship between empiricism and rationalism in Kant’s thought and Metropolitan Anthony's reaction?<br /><br />Answer – The relationship between empiricism and rationalism in Kant’s thought, according to Metropolitan Anthony, is that ethical knowledge only results from the autonomously free a priori knowledge and that only this a priori knowledge can be morally regenerating whereas empirical knowledge cannot be because empirical knowledge is heteronomist and not free because of the coercion by the Protestant and Roman Catholic Churches.[26]<br /><br />Metropolitan Anthony’s reaction is four-fold:<br />Firstly, Metropolitan Anthony opposes this proposition because Kant is basing the objectivity of an autonomous moral freedom on a subjective basis. Kant vacillates between a personal Theistic God from whom the moral freedom is derived and external motives which guide and discipline the will in a basic and defined direction. Considering these to be Kant’s subjective bases, Metropolitan Anthony says, Kant delegitimizes both. [25-26]<br /><br />Secondly, Metropolitan Anthony defends the validity of empirical knowledge to affirm moral autonomy. The moral principle can remain objective and autonomous but moving one’s free-will for or against that principle is subjective. [27]<br /><br />Thirdly, Metropolitan Anthony relates that all the phenomena of life which evoke beneficent feelings in us, have, in relation to moral autonomy, a completely parallel significance to the Gospel revelations. This parallel convinces us that the world view desired by our moral conscience actually does exist. [29]<br /><br />Fourthly, upon seeing this parallel and in retaining one’s moral autonomy, one can either accept or reject what is being presented.<br /><br />MatthewBecominghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00880409178864019499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134782302655515338.post-1972301652612270172010-05-09T20:03:48.833+02:002010-05-09T20:03:48.833+02:00Gabriel, I look forward to hearing more from you!Gabriel, I look forward to hearing more from you!Felix Culpahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18062279686869827534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134782302655515338.post-90760335420765591832010-05-09T19:50:46.014+02:002010-05-09T19:50:46.014+02:00Oh, just for the record, my edition of this text d...Oh, just for the record, my edition of this text does not have the Fr. Seraphim appendix. But it is the 2002 2d edition. Odd.G Sanchezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11797757461858023882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134782302655515338.post-22087027064621364562010-05-09T19:49:03.832+02:002010-05-09T19:49:03.832+02:00I'll have something to add shortly. I actuall...I'll have something to add shortly. I actually took two graduate level philosophy courses on Kant--one covering his moral philosophy and the other discussing its social and political ramifications. I haven't studied any Kant in years, but this will be a nice refresher (I hope).G Sanchezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11797757461858023882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134782302655515338.post-22912901556637851202010-05-09T08:47:32.696+02:002010-05-09T08:47:32.696+02:00I'm using the Second Edition (Expanded) from 2...I'm using the Second Edition (Expanded) from 2002. You most likely have the First Edition from 1984. What now serves as Book One (on Kant) and the Appendix (on Fr Seraphim) were previously issued as separate booklets, it I'm not mistaken.Felix Culpahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18062279686869827534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134782302655515338.post-32184645152585082952010-05-09T04:50:37.640+02:002010-05-09T04:50:37.640+02:00Uh-oh. I thought this chapter was in my copy of th...Uh-oh. I thought this chapter was in my copy of the book, but it turns out it isn't! I could venture some comments based purely on a reading of your post, but hopefully someone else (who may even know Kant firsthand) will have actually read the relevant chapter in Met. Anthony's book...Aaron Taylorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17775589009145031773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134782302655515338.post-49581635014694120002010-05-08T20:04:40.292+02:002010-05-08T20:04:40.292+02:00I hope I haven't scared everyone off! Needless...I hope I haven't scared everyone off! Needless to say, the next chapters are much easier, and don't require knowledge of German idealism or a graduate degree in philosophy.<br /><br />I won't be offended if a discussion doesn't take off on this post. I myself am struggling with the text.Felix Culpahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18062279686869827534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134782302655515338.post-2155116578444715022010-05-08T19:19:47.789+02:002010-05-08T19:19:47.789+02:00I'll try to get back with you on this, Father!...I'll try to get back with you on this, Father!Aaron Taylorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17775589009145031773noreply@blogger.com