15th St Andrews Kant Reading Party: Kant and Arendt

As an annual academic retreat in the Scottish Highlands, the St Andrews Kant Reading Party brings together scholars of various stages in their career to discuss the works of Immanuel Kant and another prominent philosopher. Previous Kant Reading Parties explored the relation between Kant and Plato, Aristotle, the Stoics, Hobbes, Reid, Rousseau, Maria von Herbert, Leibniz, Fichte, Sidgwick, and Rawls. In 2024, we are focusing on topics at the intersection between Immanuel Kant and Hannah Arendt.

Part 1: Reading Party at The Burn

Part 2: "Kant in Progress" Workshop

Theme:

As someone who explicitly denied being a moral or political philosopher, Arendt critically engaged with Kant’s work across various topics including the function of conscience, moral objectivity, and the nature of radical evil. The interaction between Arendt’s and Kant’s work invites interdisciplinary perspectives on several moral and political debates. In recognition of Kant’s 300th birthday, we will use these discussions as a unique opportunity to gain new understanding of both figures with respect to one another. Papers and critical discussion will focus around:

1. The possibility and nature of radical evil.

2. The (in)fallibility and authority of conscience.

3. The nature and function of judgment.

4. How and when civil disobedience is justifiable.

5. How moral violations affect the legitimacy of state authority.

The Reading Party commences at The Burn with a series of paper presentations paired with discussion sessions based on pre-circulated readings. Presentations will be given by postgraduate students and early-career scholars. Our invited participants will chair discussion sessions and guide our attendees through the readings. On 7 August, we reconvene at the University of St Andrews to host this year’s “Kant in Progress” workshop, providing an additional opportunity for paper presentations. The event is also fully accessible (e.g., wheelchair access). By organizing a multi-day event and combining the Reading Party with a follow-up workshop, we aim to maximize the academic value of traveling to Scotland and enhancing our participants’ chances to secure funding for their trip from their home university.

Participation Fees:

The following fees cover accommodation and full board for four nights at The Burn, as well as transportation from St Andrews to The Burn and back.

£150 for students and unsalaried early career scholars.

£350 for faculty members.

Registration Process (Opening Soon):

Registration will open soon for all interested parties. Since the number of places is limited, the registration process is divided into two steps:

(1) Informal registration: Once open, please register with us your intent to participate as early as possible by sending an email including your name and institutional affiliation, and a brief expression of interest (2-3 lines) to Jacob Librizzi ([email protected])

(2) Payment: Selected participants will be given instructions on how to make the online fee payment. This counts as a formal registration. 

Acknowledgements:

The St Andrews Kant Reading Party 2024 is brought to you with financial support from the Department of Philosophy at the University of St Andrews; CEPPA: the St Andrews Centre for Ethics, Philosophy, and Public Affairs; the St Leonard’s Postgraduate College Community Fund; Analysis Trust; the Scots Philosophical Association; The MIND Association; and the UK Kant Society.

Contact:

For further inquiries about the Reading Party, please do not hesitate to get in touch with Jacob Librizzi ([email protected]). Also check out our Kant Reading Party webpage.