The Intolerance of Reason

Abstract

For a long time now Kant's essay on The Conflict of the Faculties has been an object of both celebration and criticism. Here Kant provides a defence of the political autonomy of the philosophy faculty - or, more broadly construed, the humanities faculty - that has proved very durable. The philosophy faculty, Kant argues, must remain free of government interference "with regard to its teaching," because its object is the pursuit of truth which is in turn identified with the free exercise of reason. This defence has provided the stuff of countless ceremonial speeches and the target for innumerable critiques.