Kant's Theory of Mind: An Analysis of the Paralogisms of Pure Reason - Hardcover

No brief summary can do justice to Ameriks's close reasoning, complex argumentation, crucial use of Kant's precritical writings, and careful consideration of recent treatments. Yet far from making the Critique inaccessible, Ameriks confirms what lay readers sense - that they are facing a tensed, problem-laden monument to prolonged reflection. (The Review of Metaphysics)

... a classic in English-language Kant scholarship ... invaluable ... subtly combining historical scholarship with an interest in present-day issues in the philosophy of mind. (Kantian Review)

Karl Ameriks, in his splendid book, learnedly and carefully argues that Kant did not burn all his bridges to the realm of things-in-themselves but permitted reason, if not empirical science, an important but exiguous entry ... It is the great merit of Ameriks's indispensable study that it allows us to locate Kant squarely in his own time and place ... not only the best commentary we have in English on Kant's philosophy of mind, but one of the most stimulating perspectives on Kant's whole philosophy to appear for some time. (Flint Schier, Times Literary Supplement)

For any work involving Kant's views on human nature and the critical response those views have generated,Kant's Theory of Mind is an excellent sourcebook ... Despite the wealth of material it contains, the book is orderly and easy to find things in. (Gordon Nagel, Canadian Journal of Philosophy)

... a useful contribution to Kant scholarship. (Patricia Kitcher, Philosophical Review)

This stimulating study ... encompasses far more than the paralogisms: substantial space is devoted to Kant's view on the nature of embodiment, freedom, and transcendent idealism; and thorough use is made not only of Kant's published books but also of his recently edited lectures. Much current scholarship dealing with the philosophy of mind in general as well as with Kant is drawn on to aid the explication and evaluation of Kant's position, and the result will interest students in both areas. (Choice)

... impressive in scholarship and argument. (Times Higher Education Supplement)

Dans la masse présente des études kantiennes du domaine anglo-saxon, un ouvrage tel que celui-ci s'impose aussi bien par l'ampleur de l'information et le renouvellement des vues proposées que par les qualités de réflexion philosophique. (Revue philosophique)

In this seminal contribution to Kant studies, originally published in 1982, Karl Ameriks presented the first thorough survey and evaluation of Kant's theory of mind. Ameriks focuses first on Kant's discussion of the Paralogisms in the Critique of Pure Reason, and examines how the themes raised there are treated in the rest of Kant's writings. It is demonstrated that Kant developed a theory of mind that is much more rationalistic and defensible than most interpreters have allowed, a theory that is of great significance for the understanding of his philosophy as a whole.

Kant's Theory of Mind is now brought up to date with a substantial preface and postscript, as well as many additional references to the literature. This expanded edition will enhance the book's continued value for today's Kantians and philosophers of mind.