Kant and Leibniz on the Ontological Argument

The registration is open and there are places left for the 12th edition of the St Andrews Kant Reading Party.

This year we focus on Leibniz’ and Kant’s treatments the Ontological Argument, with an eye towards a better understanding of their modal commitments as being central to their philosophical projects. 

The innovative ideas of Kant and Leibniz on matters modal are best exhibited through their work on the Ontological Argument. The Leibnizian treatment of modal notions is usually understood as grounded in logic, while Kant’s novel notion of real modality is grounded in extra-logical “transcendental” metaphysics. However, it is far from settled how radical the differences between the two thinkers are. Does Kant’s view on existence constitute an essential break with the rationalist position embodied by Leibniz, or is it rather a development thereof? Is there a more nuanced position in Leibniz that introduces a notion of existence closer to Kant’s? What grounds Kant’s real modality and supports the rejection of the ontological argument in his mature philosophy? Our aim is to provide a forum for the discussion and debate on a range of issues related to the Ontological Argument as it was understood by Leibniz and Kant.

The Reading Party at The Burn (30.07 – 02.08)

The Reading Party involves a combination of group discussion sessions based on pre-circulated key readings from Kant and Leibniz, and paper sessions by graduate students and early-career researches. Confirmed speakers are:

Jun Kim Young (UIC) ‘A Combinatorial Theory of Compossibility in Leibniz’s Metaphysics’

Nicholas Currie (UCL) 'Distinguishing Logical from Real Predicates'

Martijn Bujs (UC Santa Barbara) 'The Need of Reason. Kant’s Transcendental Ideal and the Afterlife of Ontotheology'

Registration

The costs for students/early career researches are £75 and for faculty members £150. The fee covers accommodation and full board at The Burn for three nights, as well as transportation from St Andrews to The Burn and back.

Please register to participate by sending an e-mail to Kristina Kersa [email protected].

Workshop at the University of St Andrews (3.08)

On the day following the Reading Party at the Burn, there will be a one-day workshop at the University of St Andrews, which gives to the participants of the Reading Party the opportunity to present their work-in-progress. Everyone is welcome to attend the workshop and attendance is free. Confirmed talks are:

Uygar Abaci (Penn) 'Kant's Refutation of the Ontological Argument'

Nick Stang (Toronto) ‘Schematising Modal Categories’ 

Anita Leirfall (Oslo) 'Kant on Powers'

The organisers: Kristina Kersa, Geertje Bol, and Prof. Jens Timmermann  

Further details: https://krp.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/

The St Andrews Kant Reading Party 2019 is brought to you with financial support from the Department of Philosophy at the University of St Andrews; the St Leonard's Doctoral and Postgraduate College Community Fund; the Centre for Academic, Professional and Organisational Development at the University of St Andrews; and the Scots Philosophical Association.