1st Edition

Reading Rödl On Self-Consciousness and Objectivity

Edited By James F. Conant, Jesse M. Mulder Copyright 2024

    Sebastian Rödl's Self-Consciousness and Objectivity is one of the most original and thought-provoking books in analytic philosophy for the last several years. An ambitious defence of absolute idealism, Rödl rejects the idea that we as thinking beings can position ourselves within a given, mind-independent reality, and instead advances the position that the very idea of an ‘objective reality’ coincides with the self-consciousness of thought.

    In this outstanding collection, a roster of international contributors critically examine the significance of Rödl's arguments and develop them in new directions. Their contributions are organised into the following six sections:

    • Self-Consciousness and Objectivity and naturalism
    • Self-Consciousness and Objectivity and formal idealism
    • Self-Consciousness and Objectivity and quietism
    • Self-Consciousness and Objectivity and absolute idealism
    • Self-Consciousness and Objectivity and the power of judgment
    • Self-Consciousness and Objectivity and the determinacy of the individual

    The volume concludes with an extensive response by Sebastian Rödl to his critics. This book constitutes essential reading for anyone interested in contemporary debates at ther intersection of analytic philosophy and philosophical idealism.

    Introduction Jesse M. Mulder

    Part 1: Self-Consciousness and Objectivity and Naturalism

    1. One Act of Mind Lucy O'Brien

    2. How is Thinking Possible? Ram Neta

    3. Rödl on Judgment, the First Person, and Perception Christopher Peacocke

    Part 2: Self-Consciousness and Objectivity and Formal Idealism

    4. Idealism, Absolute and Formal Stephen Engstrom

    5. Idealism, Subjects and Science Patricia Kitcher

    Part 3: Self-Consciousness and Objectivity and Quietism

    6. Real Austerity Jocelyn Benoist

    7. Knowledge, Persons, and the Fact of Reason Glenda Satne

    8. The Possibility of Absolute Representations A.W. Moore

    9. The Linguistic Turn Away from Absolute Idealism Irad Kimhi

    10. Elective Affinities of a Guest from Elea J.M. van Ophuijsen

    Part 4: Self-Consciousness and Objectivity and Absolute Idealism

    11. Self-Knowledge and Knowledge of Nature, on the Speculative Character of Their Identity Thomas Khurana

    12. Absolute Idealism, A Hegelian Critique of Sebastian Rödl’s Self-Consciousness and Objectivity Wolfram Gobsch

    Part 5: Self-Consciousness and Objectivity and the Power of Judgment

    13. The Explanation of Judgment Dawa Ometto

    14. Not So Simple Powers Jesse M. Mulder

    15. Self-Consciousness and Objectivity and Practical Knowledge Niels van Miltenburg

    Part 6: Self-Consciousness and Objectivity and the Determinacy of the Individual

    16. Reflections on Self-Consciousness, and Self-Consciousness and Objectivity Adrian Haddock

    17. Dotting the I Think Martijn Wallage

    Replies Sebastian Rödl.

    Index

    Biography

    James F. Conant is Chester D. Tripp Professor of Humanities, Professor of Philosophy, and Professor in the College at the University of Chicago.

    Jesse M. Mulder is Assistant Professor in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, Utrecht University, The Netherlands.

    Sebastian Rödl is Professor of Philosophy in the Institute of Philosophy, Leipzig University, Germany.