Chapter 6 - Kant on grace

Summary

This chapter suggests that rather than Kant being pulled toward either Christian orthodoxy or atheistic humanism, his strenuous wrestling with the notion of divine grace can draw both believer and agnostic toward recognition of the ultimate inexplicability of human action and character. It concentrates on Kant's treatment of the concept of divine grace, a much-contested concept in theology. Part One of Kant's Religion within the Boundaries of Mere Reason offers an elaborate analysis of what he calls the "radical evil" in human nature, thereby giving his interpretation of the doctrine of original sin. The chapter presents an overview of Judeo-Christian conceptions of grace, to compare and contrast with Kant's treatment. It explores the relation between Kant's treatment of grace and the Christian tradition with which he wrestles with a striking combination of sympathy and skepticism. Finally, it explores why Kant felt the need to invoke the concept of divine grace.