Kant's Concept of Minority (Majority) in Historical and Philosophical Perspective

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Heiner F. Klemme
• Subject Area: History of Philosophy
• Term: from 2017 to 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 388570675

The project aims at examining the concept of majority/minority in Kant in a genealogical perspective, with a focus on his theory of obligation as the precondition of his enlightenment program. It is intended to provide a visible contribution to the understanding of Kant’s philosophy, of the „age of enlightenment“ (Kant), and of the relevance of his enlightenment philosophy for the present age. Although important results have been achieved in the five areas of the project during its present duration, it is of great importance to extend the project for another three years. The reasons for this are, on the one hand, that the first project period was not fully funded, although positively reviewed by the external referees, and on the other hand (and more importantly) that new aspects came into focus during the first period that can reasonably be examined during a second project phase.During the first project period, it has become obvious that the concept of majority/minority is closely connected to Kant’s conception of obligation, as well as with concepts like „orientation in thinking“, self-determination, self-preservation and humanity. Thus, the concepts of majority/minority is not only vital for Kant’s concept of enlightenment, but rather for Kant’s philosophy as a whole, as the second project period is supposed to demonstrate. His critical philosophy is devoted to a practically motivated care for oneself, whose value and dignity are explained through freedom and self-activity. This self-knowledge must be pursued through own thinking and acting in the world, and it must be preserved as a capacity. Enlightenment aiming at majority is a process that cannot be completed, and it appeals to practical orientation guided by the norms and obligations of our thinking and willing.The work schedule of the second project phase includes six topics: 1. „Preserving oneself“. On a key concept of Kant’s practical philosophy and its systematic significance; 2. Kant’s conception of obligation in the light of his lectures on ethics and metaphysics according to Baumgarten; 3. The majority/minority of the human species: sources and structures of Kant’s philosophy of history; 4. Sensus Publicus: the genesis of the interaction of capacity and the public sphere; 5. Critique of religion as a negative and as a positive condition of majority; 6. The extension of duties as a departure from natural conditions. On majority and the justification of legitimate authority.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants