Dineen, Katy
(2011)
A non-contingent concept of connectedness for
cosmopolitanism.
PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.
Abstract
My aim, in this thesis, is to criticise what I see to be a theme in contemporary
cosmopolitanism, and suggest a new direction for such theorizing to follow. That theme
is the placement of empirical considerations at the very centre of cosmopolitan
theorizing. It seems at times that many cosmopolitans look around them, see
something they find deeply unsettling (i.e. global poverty and/or inequality), and this
moves them to theorize cosmopolitan obligations into being. I will argue against this
kind of approach. I believe this ‘pragmatic turn’ to be damaging to cosmopolitanism.
The starting point of these cosmopolitanisms seems to affect those theories, and
makes suspect the implied obligations. It would be better if premises and
presuppositions that were neutral with respect to these cosmopolitan obligations could
imply such obligations. Furthermore, I will argue that a modestly metaphysical
Kantianism can give us such neutral starting points. My interpretation of Kant centres
on his ideas concerning moral agency, and will be metaphysical: the relevant ideas
may be said of all relevant agents at all times, cannot be experienced through empirical
investigation, and cannot be proved by theoretical deduction. Nevertheless, I will argue
that my Kantian interpretation gives forth a modest metaphysics, insofar as the warrant
we have to assert metaphysical claims is not given to us by speculative or theoretical
reason, but rather by our practical reason. In particular, I will argue that, from a
cosmopolitan perspective, a metaphysical, but also modest, interpretation of
imperfection and freedom may be very useful
Actions (login required)
 |
Record administration - authorised staff only |
Download statistics
Download statistics