Inquiring and Critique of Allen Wood's Ideas on the Problem of Formalism in Kant's Ethics from Robert Pippin Point of View

Abstract

In this essay, we are trying to inquire and critique Allen Wood's ideas about the problem of formalism in Kantian Ethics. Wood is one of Kant's interpreters who has been dealing with the formalism problem for so many years. Once he believed that the problem is a real challenge for Kant's ethical thought and then he tried to suggest a solution for it. At first, we try to explain the theoretical foundation of the problem and in light of that show the importance of the problem for judging Kant's ethics and illustrate why and how the formalism problem was brought about. In the second part, we explain Wood's approach to the problem and critique the final position of him as an advocator. Then deal with critiques that Wood's solution can not handle; the critiques that Robert Pippin suggests and their foundations are in Hegelian heritage. In conclusion, we show that why ascribing a theory of value can not overcome the formalism challenge. In the same part, we introduce an approach that can help solve the problem; an approach that claims that we may be able to fill the emptiness of moral law and rational moral agent in Kant's ethics by focusing on Kant's philosophy of history and philosophy of religion provides. Contents that can shed light to solve the problem by connecting moral agents to the world and his concrete entity.

Keywords

• formalism
• paradox of method
• good will
• end in itself
• practical reason