First Philosophy from the Perspective of Practical Reason

Abstract

In the contribution, I present and defend a concept of metaphysics which, on the one hand and contrary to the sweeping criticism of metaphysics, adheres to metaphysics as a form of thought which dares to think principles and “last thoughts” including the idea of the Unconditional. On the other hand, this concept relates such reflections on the interpretation of one’s existence in the world to a good conduct of life, thus locating it in practical reason and thereby linking the “Metaphysics of Morals” to a “Metaphysics of Hope”. Such hope seeks to prevent injustice, death and despair from having the last word, in favor of the fulfillment of the promise of salvation, which is at the core of an interpretation of life. This interpretation relies on the existence of a God who has not only given this promise to all people and anticipated it in a concrete person in history, but who is also capable of realizing it.