Kant's Theory of Mind

In this seminal contribution to Kant studies, originally published in 1982, Karl Ameriks presented the first thorough survey and evaluation of Kant's theory of mind. Ameriks focuses first on Kant's discussion of the Paralogisms in the Critique of Pure Reason, and examines how the themes raised there are treated in the rest of Kant's writings. It is demonstrated that Kant developed a theory of mind that is much more rationalistic and defensible than mostinterpreters have allowed, a theory that is of great significance for the understanding of his philosophy as a whole.Kant's Theory of Mind is now brought up to date with a substantial preface and postscript, as well as many additional references to the literature. This expanded edition will enhance the book's continued value for today's Kantians and philosophers of mind.

No brief summary can do justice to Ameriks's close reasoning, complex argumentation, crucial use of Kant's precritical writings, and careful consideration of recent treatments. Yet far from making the Critique inaccessible, Ameriks confirms what lay readers sense - that they are facing a tensed, problem-laden monument to prolonged reflection., ... a classic in English-language Kant scholarship ... invaluable ... subtly combining historical scholarship with an interest in present-day issues in the philosophy of mind., Karl Ameriks, in his splendid book, learnedly and carefully argues that Kant did not burn all his bridges to the realm of things-in-themselves but permitted reason, if not empirical science, an important but exiguous entry ... It is the great merit of Ameriks's indispensable study that it allows us to locate Kant squarely in his own time and place ... not only the best commentary we have in English on Kant's philosophy of mind, but one of the most stimulating perspectives on Kant's whole philosophy to appear for some time., For any work involving Kant's views on human nature and the critical response those views have generated,Kant's Theory of Mind is an excellent sourcebook ... Despite the wealth of material it contains, the book is orderly and easy to find things in., ... a useful contribution to Kant scholarship.

Karl Ameriks is Hank-McMahon Professor of Philosophy at the University of Notre Dame, Indiana.