Critique of Freedom: The Central Problem of Modernity
by Otfried Höffe translated by Nils F. Schott
University of Chicago Press, 2020 Cloth: 978-0-226-46590-6 | eISBN: 978-0-226-46606-4 Library of Congress Classification B824.4.H6413 2020 Dewey Decimal Classification 123.5
ABOUT THIS BOOK | AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY | REVIEWS | TOC | REQUEST ACCESSIBLE FILE
ABOUT THIS BOOK In this ambitious book, philosopher Otfried Höffe provides a sophisticated account of the principle of freedom and its role in the project of modernity. Höffe addresses a set of complex questions concerning the possibility of political justice and equity in the modern world, the destruction of nature, the dissolving of social cohesion, and the deregulation of uncontrollable markets. Through these considerations, he shows how the idea of freedom is central to modernity, and he assesses freedom’s influence in a number of cultural dimensions, including the natural, economic and social, artistic and scientific, political, ethical, and personal-metaphysical.
Neither rejecting nor defending freedom and modernity, he instead explores both from a Kantian point of view, looking closely at the facets of freedom’s role and the fundamental position it has taken at the heart of modern life. Expanding beyond traditional philosophy, Critique of Freedom develops the building blocks of a critical theory of technology, environmental protection, economics, politics, medicine, and education. With a sophisticated yet straightforward style, Höffe draws on a range of disciplines in order to clearly distinguish and appreciate the many meanings of freedom and the indispensable role they play in liberal society.
AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY Otfried Höffe is a German philosopher and professor of philosophy at the Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, where he directs the political philosophy research program. He has written numerous books, including Political Justice: Foundations for a Critical Philosophy of Law and the State. He is a member of the Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities. Nils F. Schott is a lecturer in the Euro-American Program at Collège universitaire de SciencesPo, Reims. He has published numerous philosophical essays, and his translations include works by Henri Atlan, Henning Schmidgen, François Delaporte, and Emmanuel Alloa.
REVIEWS
“Höffe presents a sophisticated defense of the role of the idea of freedom, assessing it in a number of dimensions: natural, economic-social, artistic and scientific, political, and personal-metaphysical. This enormously helpful book exhibits a masterful, well-organized, up-to-date knowledge of the whole tradition of Western philosophy, as well as a wealth of insights on many kinds of contemporary phenomena. In addition to being an expert on Aristotle and Kant, Höffe offers his expertise in social, legal, and ethical philosophy. This is essential reading for political scientists and social theorists, as well as philosophers.”
— Karl Ameriks, University of Notre Dame
“Höffe’s comprehensive review of the modern ethical, legal, and political order offers a new emphasis on propositions more often foolishly denied than ignored: Freedom is real, and important; modernity, the fullest realization of freedom achieved by humanity so far, is still very far from reaching its goal, but it is also far from being a total failure; and attempts either to deny the reality and value of freedom or to replace modernity with something else are not only shallow and misconceived but even pernicious and nihilistic. The lessons of this book should be taken to heart by all of us.”
— Allen W. Wood, Indiana University
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preface
1. Putting Freedom and Modernity to the Test
Part I: Freedom from Natural Constraints
2. External Cultivation: Technology
3. Medicine
4. Inner Cultivation: Education to Freedom
Part II: Freedom in Economy and Society
5. Enlightened Liberalism
6. Free Market: Vision or Illusion?
7. Justice in the Name of Freedom
8. Free Society
Part III: Science and Art
9. Knowledge and Freedom
10. Freedom and Creativity: Art
Part IV: Political Freedom
11. Constitutional Democracy
12. Liberties
13. Minimal Citizen, State Citizen, World Citizen
14. Sovereignty in an Age of Globalization
15. A Liberal Global Order
Part V: Personal Freedom
16. A New Conflict of the Faculties
17. Personal Autonomy
18. On the Price of Freedom
19. Retrospection: Freedom and Modernity
Notes
Index
REQUEST ACCESSIBLE FILE
If you are a student who cannot use this book in printed form, BiblioVault may be able to supply you
with an electronic file for alternative access.
Please have the accessibility coordinator at your school fill out this form.
Critique of Freedom: The Central Problem of Modernity
by Otfried Höffe translated by Nils F. Schott
University of Chicago Press, 2020 Cloth: 978-0-226-46590-6 eISBN: 978-0-226-46606-4
In this ambitious book, philosopher Otfried Höffe provides a sophisticated account of the principle of freedom and its role in the project of modernity. Höffe addresses a set of complex questions concerning the possibility of political justice and equity in the modern world, the destruction of nature, the dissolving of social cohesion, and the deregulation of uncontrollable markets. Through these considerations, he shows how the idea of freedom is central to modernity, and he assesses freedom’s influence in a number of cultural dimensions, including the natural, economic and social, artistic and scientific, political, ethical, and personal-metaphysical.
Neither rejecting nor defending freedom and modernity, he instead explores both from a Kantian point of view, looking closely at the facets of freedom’s role and the fundamental position it has taken at the heart of modern life. Expanding beyond traditional philosophy, Critique of Freedom develops the building blocks of a critical theory of technology, environmental protection, economics, politics, medicine, and education. With a sophisticated yet straightforward style, Höffe draws on a range of disciplines in order to clearly distinguish and appreciate the many meanings of freedom and the indispensable role they play in liberal society.
AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY Otfried Höffe is a German philosopher and professor of philosophy at the Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, where he directs the political philosophy research program. He has written numerous books, including Political Justice: Foundations for a Critical Philosophy of Law and the State. He is a member of the Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities. Nils F. Schott is a lecturer in the Euro-American Program at Collège universitaire de SciencesPo, Reims. He has published numerous philosophical essays, and his translations include works by Henri Atlan, Henning Schmidgen, François Delaporte, and Emmanuel Alloa.
REVIEWS
“Höffe presents a sophisticated defense of the role of the idea of freedom, assessing it in a number of dimensions: natural, economic-social, artistic and scientific, political, and personal-metaphysical. This enormously helpful book exhibits a masterful, well-organized, up-to-date knowledge of the whole tradition of Western philosophy, as well as a wealth of insights on many kinds of contemporary phenomena. In addition to being an expert on Aristotle and Kant, Höffe offers his expertise in social, legal, and ethical philosophy. This is essential reading for political scientists and social theorists, as well as philosophers.”
— Karl Ameriks, University of Notre Dame
“Höffe’s comprehensive review of the modern ethical, legal, and political order offers a new emphasis on propositions more often foolishly denied than ignored: Freedom is real, and important; modernity, the fullest realization of freedom achieved by humanity so far, is still very far from reaching its goal, but it is also far from being a total failure; and attempts either to deny the reality and value of freedom or to replace modernity with something else are not only shallow and misconceived but even pernicious and nihilistic. The lessons of this book should be taken to heart by all of us.”
— Allen W. Wood, Indiana University
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preface
1. Putting Freedom and Modernity to the Test
Part I: Freedom from Natural Constraints
2. External Cultivation: Technology
3. Medicine
4. Inner Cultivation: Education to Freedom
Part II: Freedom in Economy and Society
5. Enlightened Liberalism
6. Free Market: Vision or Illusion?
7. Justice in the Name of Freedom
8. Free Society
Part III: Science and Art
9. Knowledge and Freedom
10. Freedom and Creativity: Art
Part IV: Political Freedom
11. Constitutional Democracy
12. Liberties
13. Minimal Citizen, State Citizen, World Citizen
14. Sovereignty in an Age of Globalization
15. A Liberal Global Order
Part V: Personal Freedom
16. A New Conflict of the Faculties
17. Personal Autonomy
18. On the Price of Freedom
19. Retrospection: Freedom and Modernity
Notes
Index
REQUEST ACCESSIBLE FILE
If you are a student who cannot use this book in printed form, BiblioVault may be able to supply you
with an electronic file for alternative access.
Please have the accessibility coordinator at your school fill out this form.
It can take 2-3 weeks for requests to be filled.
ABOUT THIS BOOK | AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY | REVIEWS | TOC | REQUEST ACCESSIBLE FILE