The Toronto Philosophy Meetup

The Metaphysics of Morals is divided into two halves: the first concerns rights and the second regards virtues. This was one of the earliest works of practical philosophy that Kant envisioned; however, he put it off to write foundational works to support it, such as Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals and even the Critique of Practical Reason. If you find it more helpful to start ethics discussions closer to their practice, the Metaphysics of Morals may be a more useful starting point than the meta-ethical works we have covered up to now.

We'll be covering Private Right, Chapter I and II (401 - 443; 42 pages) at this meetup.

Note: Meetings focus on developing a common language and friendship through studying Kant. The host will provide an interpretation of Kant; other interpretations will not be discussed until later in the meeting. Additional interpretations, topics, and questions can be addressed through the Jitsi chat feature.

No prior experience with Kant is necessary.

Reading Schedule (pages are from Cambridge's Practical Philosophy collection):

THE DOCTRINE OF RIGHT

Week 1:
Preface, Introduction, Introduction to the Doctrine of Right (365 - 397; 32 pages)

Week 2:
Private Right, Chapter I and II (401 - 443; 42 pages)

Week 3:
Chapter III, Public Right Section I (443 - 481; 38 pages)

Week 4:
Public Right Section II, III, and Appendix (482 - 506; 24 pages)

THE DOCTRINE OF VIRTUE

Week 5:
Preface and Introduction (509-540; 31 pages)

Week 6:
Part 1 Introduction and Book 1 on Perfect Duties (543-564; 21 pages)

Week 7:
Book 2 on Imperfect Duties (565-588; 23 pages)

Week 8:
Method of Ethics (591-603; 12 pages)

There are numerous editions (and free translations available online), but this collection contains all of Kant's Practical Philosophy in translation:

http://www.amazon.com/Practical-Philosophy-Cambridge-Works-Immanuel/dp/0521654084/

PDF: https://antilogicalism.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/kant-practical-philosophy.pdf

We had an interesting debate on mind-body dualism. During that debate several questions came up, the answers to which will inform us regarding said question. These Questions are:

1. Discussion on 8/7/25-What (and where) is the mind? (We posited the mind is the largest possible markov (entropy limiting) blanket (e.g. the human, dog whatever biological entity we are discussing), although the mind involves multiple processes happening within the brain simultaneously, the brain organizes itself into a single consciousness because that is how organisms evolved to self organize and minimize wasted energy within the system (i.e. the brain and subsequently body). And the mind is not strictly within us but is instead the communication that takes place between organisms (e.g. humans with each other forming a society.)
2. Is there something fundamental to the physical (i.e. atoms that are not alive lead to living things, living things lead to mental things, so is there something fundamental to the protons, neutrons and electrons composing an atom)?
3. On the flip side, is there any kind of a supra consciousness (or other emergent state) created from the aggregation of individual minds?
4. How does one engage in a mental process (i.e. how do you decide you are going to try to remember something) and do we have multiple consciousnesses (e.g. what is the entity that reminds you that famous actors name, you were trying to remember earlier, randomly when you are eating dinner)?

We will have a meetup on each of these four questions and then circle back to the main question of whether mind-body dualism is correct. The second question we will discuss in this coming meeting is: Is there something fundamental to the physical?

Overall, In this series we discuss great questions of philosophy. You could call what we are doing debate style or open forum, but participants are free to give their ideas and challenge others while discussing the topic of the week. Each week I will choose from one of hundreds of topics such as: are humans innately good or evil, what makes us human, did you exist before you were born, and does god (a supreme mind) exist. I think a Socratic method/critical analysis of questions where each assumption held on a particular topic is questioned to dig deeper is a good way to make progress.

Let us hear what you think.

(The Zoom link will be posted shortly before the event. I have installed a timer in Zoom, so a timer will start automatically when you start speaking, I am setting a 3 minute time limit on each speaker)