Baumgarten’s Philosophical Ethics
A Critical Translation
Alexander Gottlieb Baumgarten author John Hymers translator John Hymers editor
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Published:25th Jan '24
£130.00
Supplier delay - available to order, but may take longer than usual.
The first complete translation into English of Alexander Baumgarten’s Ethica Philosophica (1740), the textbook upon which Kant based his lectures on moral philosophy.
Alexander Baumgarten’s Ethica Philosophica (1740) served as a chief textbook of philosophical instruction in German universities for several decades, and was used by Immanuel Kant for his lectures on moral philosophy between 1759 and 1794. Now translated into English for the first time, John Hymers explores the extent of Baumgarten's influence on the development of German philosophy. Accompanied by an introduction to Baumgarten and his work, this translation features an explanation of the main themes of the Ethica Philosophica, touching upon its relation to Christian Wolff and G.F. Meier’s practical philosophy, but focusing especially on its role in Kant’s lectures. First-time translations of elucidatory passages from the writings of Meier, Wolff, and Heinrich Köhler appear together with the relevant transcriptions of Kant’s lectures on ethics. Based on a thorough knowledge of the original text, Hymers' clear translation and supporting material makes it possible to distinguish Kant’s own remarks and insights from his attempts to expound and summarize Baumgarten’s ideas. This is a much-needed contribution for anyone working in the history of modern philosophy.
Kant was long alone at the University of Königsberg in using Baumgarten’s Philosophical Ethics for teaching. With the first modern translation of this textbook, John Hymers meets the highest editorial standards. His volume will be groundbreaking for further research, as it provides a unique insight into the genesis and context of Kant's moral philosophy. * Clemens Schwaiger, Professor of Philosophy, Catholic University of Applied Sciences Munich, Germany *
Kant did not write about ethical duties in a vacuum, and now students and scholars can see his most used source for themselves with this excellent translation. Kant’s lectures on ethics can best be understood by holding open this book as Kant himself did in the classroom. * Frederick Rauscher, Professor of Philosophy, Michigan State University, USA *
An incredibly rich resource for anyone interested in eighteenth-century ethics in general and Kant’s practical philosophy in particular — highly recommended! * Jens Timmermann, Professor of Moral Philosophy, The University of St Andrews, UK *
ISBN: 9781350192614
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
352 pages