A little treat for all those who feel themselves drawn towards the idea that ethics is and should be based on duties. Such a path is a dangerous one to tread indeed, for look where it led dear old Immanuel…
Although a banquet is a formal invitation to excess in both food and drink [it has] a moral end…it brings a number of people together to converse with one another. And yet, if the number of guests allows for only a little conversation, while the banquet remains a temptation to something immoral, how far does one’s moral authority to accept these invitations to intemperance extend?
Especial thanks to James for bringing this one to my attention.
15 November, 2007 at 3:22 pm |
how likely is it that old Kant had what we now know as Asperger’s Syndrome? It seems plausible to me…
15 November, 2007 at 3:51 pm |
No, it’s a silly modern fad to attribute aspergers/autism to great thinkers who were a bit socially inept. The other example is always Newton.
Kant may have been a bit socially awkward, but that was to do with his pietist upbringing and the fact that well, he was a bit odd.
That somebody with aspergers – somebody who is to a large extent incapable of even comprehending human emotions and relationships – could write some of the greatest philosophy ever is, for me, unlikely on a number of levels.
Postuling whether Kant or Newton suffered from such afflictions is indicative more of the modern desire/obsession to label and define every abnormality, no matter how slight of harmless, and giving it a medical term, therefore supposing a corresponding form of treatment/action.
15 November, 2007 at 8:18 pm |
I think you are a bit harsh there. Asperger’s can appear in mild forms, and a lot of people who you may experience on the day to day who seem “a bit odd” may well have it.
Things I have heard about Kant’s habits regarding strict routine and time-keeping (I dont know how true these are obv.) coupled with his moral philosphy, which i think at times (as in the example in this post) really does seem to come from someone “incapable of comprehending human relationships” suggest Aspergers symptoms. Im by no means asserting that he definitely had it, but, as someone with a quite unique level of experience with Aspergers, something about him just reminds me of the syndrome.
That someone with Aspergers could never write great philosophy is an ignorant and absurd claim anyway.
16 November, 2007 at 2:21 am |
Heh, you posted this on World Philosophy Day:
http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/julian_baggini/2007/11/what_is_celebration.html
I’m sure even Kant could have set aside a banquet for such an occasion!