Freedom, Self-Consciousness and Identity The Theory of Freedom and Identity in Kant's Moral Philosophy

A review of arguments about freedom and ethics from ancient times to contemporary era would reveal diverse conceptions of the concepts of freedom and ethics. However, Kant has forwarded his positive theory of freedom as the best possible way of modern man's being in his scientific philosophy. He has formulated the foundations of independent concept of freedom, putting forth some concepts in close connection with the concepts of self-consciousness, inner identity and integrity that make modern man a man in its real sense. Kant's concept of freedom is strongly under the influence of philosophy of Rousseau; freedom is the highest embodiment of man, which is the result of his specific activity aimed at his intellectual and spiritual development. Kant's basic concept of ethic is that of free will which is self-propelled. The action or behavior arises from one's duty which directs man to act or behave morally. The present article is an attempt to elaborate these concepts from the viewpoint of Kant and also to discuss his answer to the following question: How modern man is educated and raised?