Georg Cavallar – författare

In current debates, the term cosmopolitanismA" often remains quite vague and leads to sweeping generalizations. Unlike many recent publications, this book looks at the notion from a decidedly historical perspective, trying to give depth and texture to the concept.

In current debates, the term cosmopolitanismA" often remains quite vague and leads to sweeping generalizations. Unlike many recent publications, this book looks at the notion from a decidedly historical perspective, trying to give depth and texture to the concept.

This study investigates the thinking of European authors from Vitoria to Kant about political justice, the global community, and the rights of strangers as one special form of interaction among individuals of divergent societies, political communities, and cultures. Taking an interdisciplinary approach, it covers historical material from a predominantly philosophical perspective, interpreting authors who have tackled problems related to the rights of strangers under the heading of international hospitality. Their analyses of the civitas maxima or the societas humani generis covered the nature of the global commonwealth. Their doctrines of natural law (ius naturae) were supposed to provide what we nowadays call theories of political justice. The focus of the work is on international hospitality as part of the law of nations, on its scope and justification. It follows the political ideas of Francisco de Vitoria and the Second Scholastic in the 16th century, of Alberico Gentili, Hugo Grotius, Samuel Pufendorf, Christian Wolff, Emer de Vattel, Johann Jacob Moser, and Immanuel Kant. It draws attention to the international dimension of political thought in Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, David Hume, Adam Smith, and others. This is predominantly a study in intellectual history which contextualizes ideas, but also emphasizes their systematic relevance.

This book argues that Kant’s theory of international relations should be interpreted as an attempt to apply the principles of reason to history in general, and in particular to political conditions of the late eighteenth century. It demonstrates how Kant attempts to mediate between a priori theory and practice, and how this works in the field of international law and international relations. Kant appreciates how the precepts of theory have to be tested against the facts, before the theory is enriched to deal with the complexities of their application. In the central chapters of this book, the starting points are apparent contradictions in Kant’s writings; assuming that Kant is a systematic and profound thinker, Cavallar seeks to use these contradictions to discover Kant’s ‘deep structure’, a dynamic and evolutionary theory that tries to anticipate a world where the idea of international justice might be more fully realized.

Kant’s omnipresence in contemporary cosmopolitan discourses contrasts with the fact that little is known about the historical origins and the systematic status of his cosmopolitan theory. This study argues that Kant’s cosmopolitanism should be understood as embedded and dynamic. Inspired by Rousseau, Kant developed a form of cosmopolitanism rooted in a modified form of republican patriotism. In contrast to static forms of cosmopolitanism, Kant conceived the tensions between embedded, local attachments and cosmopolitan obligations in dynamic terms. He posited duties to develop a cosmopolitan disposition (Gesinnung), to establish common laws or cosmopolitan institutions, and to found and promote legal, moral, and religious communities which reform themselves in a way that they can pass the test of cosmopolitan universality. This is the cornerstone of Kant’s cosmopolitanism, and the key concept is the vocation (Bestimmung) of the individual as well as of the human species. Since realizing or at least approaching this vocation is a long-term, arduous, and slow process, Kant turns to the pedagogical implications of this cosmopolitan project and spells them out in his later writings. This book uncovers Kant’s hidden theory of cosmopolitan education within the framework of his overall practical philosophy.

Kant’s omnipresence in contemporary cosmopolitan discourses contrasts with the fact that little is known about the historical origins and the systematic status of his cosmopolitan theory. This study argues that Kant’s cosmopolitanism should be understood as embedded and dynamic. Inspired by Rousseau, Kant developed a form of cosmopolitanism rooted in a modified form of republican patriotism. In contrast to static forms of cosmopolitanism, Kant conceived the tensions between embedded, local attachments and cosmopolitan obligations in dynamic terms. He posited duties to develop a cosmopolitan disposition (Gesinnung), to establish common laws or cosmopolitan institutions, and to found and promote legal, moral, and religious communities which reform themselves in a way that they can pass the test of cosmopolitan universality. This is the cornerstone of Kant’s cosmopolitanism, and the key concept is the vocation (Bestimmung) of the individual as well as of the human species. Since realizing or at least approaching this vocation is a long-term, arduous, and slow process, Kant turns to the pedagogical implications of this cosmopolitan project and spells them out in his later writings. This book uncovers Kant’s hidden theory of cosmopolitan education within the framework of his overall practical philosophy.

This concise yet comprehensive introduction to the philosophy of the Enlightenment is designed for a general academic audience. Combining historical context with philosophy, it targets both students and researchers. It is of relevance for historians, philosophers and anyone interested in the Enlightenment, the eighteenth century, modernity, and contemporary discussions on reason, emotions, science, religion, freedom, justice, and progress.

ENGThe term "Enlightenment" is frequently discussed – and abused - in public and scholarly discourses. At times, it is considered the most significant achievement of modernity. Alternatively, it is argued that the Enlightenment has failed, because it deified reason, was not enlightened itself, or has led to totalitarianism and genocide. This book examines distinct and legitimate conceptions of the Enlightenment: as an intercultural phenomenon of processes of rationalization; as a historical epoch concept; as "enlightenment of the intellect"; as enlightenment through science; as an emancipatory project; as enlightenment of reason. Individual chapters investigate epistemological approaches; the enlarged way of thinking, humor, and cynicism; the moral-philosophical foundations of the rule of law, tolerance, and human rights; the models of enlightened religiosity.RUSТермином «Просвещение» часто злоупотребляют в общественных и научных дискуссиях. Иногда этот концепт считают самым значительным достижением современности. В других же случаях утверждают, что Просвещение потерпело неудачу, поскольку оно, обожествляя разум, само не было просвещенным, что в перспективе привело к тоталитаризму и геноцидам. В книге рассматриваются различные концепции: Просвещение как межкультурный феномен процессов рационализации; Просвещение как понятие исторической эпохи; Просвещение как «просвещение интеллекта»; Просвещение в его научном срезе; Просвещение как эмансипаторный проект; Просвещение как «просвещение разума». Автор исследует эпистемологические подходы к изучению Просвещения, роль юмора и цинизма, морально-философские основания правового государства, толерантности и прав человека, а также модели просвещенной религиозности.