Towards Sublime:Kant’s Theory Of "Achtung"

The interest in Kant’s concept of "Achtung"(reverence\respect)is motivated by contemporary theories:whether it is Axel Honet’s construction of the recognition of political science,or the study of Heinz Kimmler’s intercultural dialogue,or in Hans Jonas’s critique of technical civilization," Achtung" plays an inspiring role.In contrast,the concept of "Achtung" has not been received sufficient attention within Kant’s research.For a long time,Kant’s ethics has always been regarded as ethics about freedom,autonomy and duty,but not about "Achtung".Indeed,Kant’s concept of"Achtung" naturally has its own condolences.As a rational ethical theory it should not accommodate the so-called "feeling".However,reagarding this emotion as mysterious and dispensable without judgment is not only contrary to Kant’s original intention,but also loses the "practical wisdom"that is urgently needed in this era.In this regard,this paper reveals the different connotations and philosophical functions of "Achtung" in Kant’s practical philosophy from the following three aspects,which outlines Kant’s theory of "Achtung" and shows the special charm of this theory to the living world.First,from an evaluative point of view,"Achtung" points to moral law and humanity.As far as the former is concerned,the author uses the debate of the origination of "Achtung" from Kant scholars Allison and Schonecker:in the structure of "Achtung fur das Gesetz",Achtung as a moral feeling indicates the authority of moral law,and only the duty in this authority is related to the necessity of morality.As far as the latter is concerned,the author’s analysis of the concept of dignity shows that Kant’s so-called "respect the person" is different from its daily usage.The basis for respect humanity is categorical imperative,not human value.Secondly,from the perspective of causality,"Achtung" as a moral motive is the result of the moral law.Judging from the debate between Kant scholars on Kant’s moral motivation,the biggest problem in Kantian "Achtung" is that "Achtung" is still lying within the practical reason.lt is actually only a symbol of moral law,and does not have its own independent meaning.In the face of such difficulties.the author uses Heidegger’s perspective to jump out of the opposition between reason and feeling,trying to clarify the independence of "Achtung" from the non-metaphysical point,which includes the perspective of aesthetic、ethical and educational level.Finally,from the perspective of non-metaphysical,"Achtung" in terms of aesthetic background has transcended the moral motivation that only serves rationality and has become the way for people to know and understand themselves.In the perspective of ethical life,"Achtung" as a moral obligation has become the ethical attitude of communication between intersubjectivity.In the practice of ethical education,the Achtung as "disposition" gives us the possibility to understand our transcendence and the way to freedom.Kantian "Achtung" in the sense is not only that it opens up a new direction of moral philosophy,but also that it provides a "practical wisdom" for our current ethical life.The ultimate realization of moral ideals cannot rely on static rationality,but also cultivates flowing feeling.It needs to understand Kant’s moral motivation from the perspective of generativeity.To understand kantian " Achtung" in the sense of human disposition,it always points to the eternal process of human self-improvement,rather than the idealistic reality in the timeless dimension.