HPhil Seminar: December 04, 2025

The HPhil (History of Philosophy) Research Group of the Centre of Philosophy of the University of Lisbon announces the 2025/26 edition of its permanent seminar on the history of philosophy, devoted to the presentation of conferences by renowned specialists while also creating opportunities to emerging scholars, aiming to promote advanced studies in groundbreaking debates and the permanent training of its academic community.

In this session of the seminar, Heiner Klemme (University of Halle-Wittenberg) will present a work of his, entitled “The Primacy of Reason over Freedom in Kant”. (abstract below)

The session will take place on December 04, 2025 at 5 p.m., in the Room 201.J (Room Mattos Romão, Department of Philosophy). Admission is free

Abstract

Is freedom of choice the most fundamental value and reason for Kant merely a means for maximizing that freedom? Or is reason of the utmost importance for us, because there is no freedom without reason? The first part of my paper is about the primacy of reason as compared with freedom of choice, and the second part is about freedom of choice and freedom of thinking. I argue that freedom of thinking is even more important than freedom of choice and even autonomy, because without freedom of thinking there would be no truth.