The Paralogism of the Proper Self : Hegel’s Critique of Kantian Morality

Abstract

This article concerns the relationship of Kantians and Hegelians, precisely the contentious debate over the status of Hegel’s critique of Kantian morality. Hegel’s critique focuses not, as is usually alleged, on any substantive claim made by Kant, but rather on the argument for duty-based morality. Taking a cue from the development of the Paralogisms of Pure Reason from the A and B editions, and the argument of the interceding work, the Groundwork, it is argued that Kant’s argument for the “proper self” is itself paralogistic. Finally, this article focuses on the potential political upshot of Hegel’s critique of Kantian morality.