ROUSSEAU Y KANT: UNA RELACIÓN PROTEICA

Authors

  • JOSÉ RUBIO CARRACEDO

Keywords:

Rousseau, Kant, proteiform, autonomy, social contract.

Abstract

The relationship between Rousseau and Kant has given rise to a vast bibliography but so far no agreement has been reached regarding its interpretation. One of the main reasons for the dispute has been differences regarding exactly what intellectual influence means. This paper argues that the relationship between the two thinkers is proteiform, ie, Kant studied Rousseau intensely but from the viewpoint of his own theories. Thus, Kant neutralised Rousseau’s key political concepts in order to apply them to the realm of ethics. Nevertheless, the author acknowledges Rousseau’s conspicuous influence on Kant’s anthropological, moral and educational theory, whilst considering his influence on his theories of politics and law to be superficial and of little underlying importance. Kant’s thought always reflected his own independently reached criteria.

Published

2008-03-24

Issue

Section

ARTICLES