From a Colonial Past to a Universal Future: Kant in the East Asian Pacific Region
This Kant-conference aims to strengthen Kant scholarship in East Asia and the Pacific by bringing together scholars from China, Japan, Korea, and Australia. It will be the first of a series of meetings intended to create an international Kant association that focuses on this region. The conference will explore the history, current relevance, and future of Kant’s ideas in East Asia and the Pacific. Scholars will discuss how Kant’s philosophy has been received, adapted, and critiqued in different cultural settings. The event will also examine how Eastern and Western philosophies can meet and interact, helping to better understand Kant’s ideas in a global context. The Pacific region, with its mix of ancient cultures and colonial history, offers a unique perspective on Kantian universalism. This conference will look at the Pacific as a place to experiment with and rethink traditional ideas of universalism.
The goal is to expand Kant scholarship and bring new perspectives into the broader philosophical conversation. This gathering will lay the foundation for future collaboration and may lead to the creation of an East Asian Pacific Kant Association to support ongoing Kantian research in the region.
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Possible Questions and Topics of Discussion:
- Transcendental Foundations of Universalism:
What are the transcendental conditions that underpin Kant’s notion of universalism? Are these conditions genuinely universal, or are they shaped by historical and cultural contexts? What are the epistemological and metaphysical presuppositions involved?
- Freedom and Autonomy in Universalism:
How do freedom and autonomy serve as foundations for Kant’s universalism? How do these concepts influence his moral and epistemological claims? In what ways is freedom connected to Kantian universalism, especially regarding moral agency and autonomy? Is this relationship culturally adaptable, or does it face limitations outside of its original European context?
- Situatedness of Observers:
Does Kant’s framework acknowledge the situatedness of knowledge and moral judgment? How does this impact his claims to universality? Can Kantian universalism incorporate historical and cultural perspectives, or does it resist contextual influences?
- Historical Origins of Universalism:
How did ancient European traditions, particularly Stoicism, contribute to the development of universalism? In what ways did these classical influences shape Kant’s conception of universal reason and morality? What historical narratives underlie his universalist claims?
- Theoretical and Practical Reason:
How does the relationship between theoretical and practical reason inform Kant’s understanding of universalism? Is it possible for practical reason to maintain its universality while being sensitive to contextual differences?
- Comparative Perspectives:
How do non-European philosophical traditions, especially those from East Asia, engage with or challenge Kant’s ideas on universalism? Are there analogous notions of universality in Confucianism, Daoism, or other Asian philosophies? What can be gained from comparing these traditions with Kantian ethics and epistemology?
- Transcendental Idealism and Universalism:
What are the epistemological and metaphysical implications of Kant’s transcendental idealism for his concept of universalism? Can transcendental arguments support universal claims without presuming a culturally neutral standpoint?
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Conference Details (to be expanded):
The conference will be held from October 24 to 26, 2025, at Tsinghua University in Beijing.
We look forward to welcoming participants to engage in this stimulating exploration of Kant’s ideas and their continued relevance in a diverse and interconnected world.
