What is Kantian Gesinnung? On the Priority of Volition over Metaphysics and Psychology in Religion within the Bounds of Bare Reason. Issue 2 (30th June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Palmquist, Stephen R.
• Is Part Of: Kantian review. Volume 20:Issue 2(2015)
• Page Start: 235
• Page End: 264
• Publication Date: 2015-06-30
• Subjects: Immanuel Kant, -- religious conviction, -- disposition, -- attitude, -- belief; Neo-Kantianism -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 142.305
• DOI: 10.1017/S1369415415000035
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1369-4154

Abstract

Abstract: Kant's enigmatic term Gesinnung baffles many readers of Religion within the Bounds of Bare Reason . This study clarifies the notion in Kant's theories of both general moral decision-making and specifically religious conversion. It is argued that Kantian Gesinnung is volitional, referring to a person's principle-based choice to live a certain way. More specifically, interpreted as principled 'conviction', Kantian Gesinnung is a religiously manifested, moral form of Überzeugung ('convincing'). This is confirmed by a detailed analysis of the 169 occurrences of Gesinnung and cognate words in Religion . It contrasts with what is suggested by translating Gesinnung as 'disposition', which reinforces a tendency to interpret the notion more metaphysically, and also with Pluhar's translation as 'attitude', which has too strongly psychological connotations.