Between Truth and Illusion: Kant at the Crossroads of Modernity

by Predrag Cicovacki

Overview

In Between Truth and Illusion, Predrag Cicovacki carefully analyzes Kant's contribution to discussions of human being and finds that he was deeply involved in the systematic development of the modern anthropocentric orientation toward liberation and dominance of the subject. On the other hands, modernity's high ideal of universal scientific and moral progress turned out to be illusory and ill-conceived. Cicovacki focuses on Kant's important observations about the limitations of the modernist project and develops an interactive conception of truth from it. Truth, the author says, presupposes a dominance of neither subject nor object, but their dynamic and reciprocal interactive relation. The absence of proper interactions leads to various forms of self-projections or illusions.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780742513761
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	06/11/2002
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	5.84(w) x 8.94(h) x 0.51(d)

About the Author

Predrag Cicovacki is director of the Peace and Conflict Studies program at the College of the Holy Cross and editor-in-chief of Diotima: A Philosophical Review. He is the author of Anamorphosis: Kant on Knowledge and Ignorance (1997) and The World We Live In: A Philosophical Crossword Puzzle (2002).

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 How Shall We Think about Truth? Part 2 Part I: Truths Chapter 3 Commonsense Truths Chapter 4 Scientific Truths Chapter 5 Metaphysical Truths Part 6 Part II: Illusions Chapter 7 Metaphysical Illusions Chapter 8 Religious Illusions Chapter 9 Moral Illusions Part 10 Part III: Can Truths Make Us Free? Chapter 11 Man as the Measure of All Things Chapter 12 A Moment of Truth Chapter 13 Back at the Crossroads

Editorial Reviews

Professor Cicovacki's book supplements Kant's conception of reason and truth with an original theory that provides a critical alternative to the extremes of dogmatism and skepticism. This volume addresses a host of fundamental questions in a style of writing that is provocative and easy to follow.

Karl Ameriks

A lucid and detailed analysis of the problem of truth that takes its bearings by Kant but considers a wide range of other approaches, as well as offering a fresh treatment of the split in Kant's thought and how to go beyond it to a richer conception of truth.

Stanley Rosen

The author writes clearly, demonstrating a competent grast of Kant, based on wide reading.

Choice Reviews

In Between Truth and Illusion, Predrag Cicovacki undertakes the ambitious attempt of critically engaging both Kant and post-modernists in developing a novel account of truth as the harmonious interaction between subject and world. Separating the historically embedded illusions that stem from Kant's commitment to the ideals of modernity from his critical insight into their limitations, Cicovacki describes the value of human creativity that starkly contrasts with the absurdity of the postmodern world. Cicovacki's new conception of truth thus leads to a radically different understanding of Kant's philosophy in particular and the project of modernity in general. Between Truth and Illusion is a fresh and thought-provoking examination of a seriesof central philosophical themes..

Eric Watkins

The author writes clearly, demonstrating a competent grast of Kant, based on wide reading.

Choice

The author writes clearly, demonstrating a competent grast of Kant, based on wide reading.

CHOICE

Cicovack is director of the Peace and Conflict Studies Program at the College of the Holy Cross, and editor of . From his preface: "The central questions of this book are: What is truth?, and Why do we value truth so highly?...Kan'ts own contributio to this discussion is carefully analyzed and assessed as controversial." Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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