L'optimisme de Kant : les décennies 1750-1760
This Master’s thesis presents Kant’s optimism during the 1750s and 1760s. The first chapter introduces Leibniz and Malebranche, both of which are considered as the first optimists. Therefore, a brief account of their respective theory of optimism provides a reference frame, which will allow us to exhibit the originality of the Kantian optimism. The first chapter also presents a philosophical interpretation of Alexander Pope’s Essay on Man. This poem shaped considerably the first trajectory of Kant’s optimism during the 1750s. This first trajectory will be discussed in the second chapter. It analyzes three writings of this decade: 3703-3705 Über Optimismus, Allgemeine Naturgeschichte und Theorie des Himmels and Nova dilucidatio. During the 1750s, Kant holds onto a version of a posteriori optimism characterized by a physico-theological approach. The last chapter presents the second trajectory of the Kantian optimism during the 1760s. It also analyzes three writings: Versuch einiger Betrachtungen über den Optimismus, Versuch den Begriff der negativen Größen in die Weltweisheit einzuführen and Der einzig mögliche Beweisgrund zu einer Demonstration des Daseins Gottes. After these years, Kant renounces to physico-theology and his optimism becomes an a priori one.
Emmanuel Kant Leibniz Alexander Pope Malebranche Philosophy Immanuel Kant Optimism Theology Precritical Kant