GHS Philosophical Influence

Smith discusses whether we should hold a philosopher responsible for how other philosophers use his or her ideas.

Smith explains the views of Kant and Hegel on the history of philosophy, and explores whether moral judgments should be applied to the realm of ideas.

Smith discusses the issue of whether we should hold a philosopher responsible for the beliefs of those followers who agree with him.

Smith examines some of Rand’s claims about the beneficial influence of Aristotle’s ideas on the course of Western civilization.

Smith discusses some good and bad influences that Ayn Rand’s ideas had on his own intellectual development.

Smith explains some fundamental features of Immanuel Kant’s moral and political theory.

Smith discusses Kant’s attempt to justify objective moral principles and his views on when the use of coercion is morally proper.

Smith discusses some libertarian aspects of Kant’s theory of individual rights.

Smith explains how Robert Paul Wolff and Immanuel Kant used the same principle of moral autonomy to reach opposite conclusions about the legitimacy of the state.

Smith discusses how Kant used his theory of property rights to justify government, and how he distinguished physical possession from rightful ownership.

Smith explains Kant’s basic justification of government and why he opposed the rights of resistance and revolution.

Smith explains Kant’s notion of the “unsocial sociability” of human nature, and how these antagonistic tendencies generate human progress.

Smith discusses some of Kant’s ideas about the moral, political, and practical aspects of perpetual peace.