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Talks by Alice Pinheiro Walla

A basic claim implicit in the idea of Human Rights is that human beings are entitled to certain i... more A basic claim implicit in the idea of Human Rights is that human beings are entitled to certain inalienable rights independent of their nationality, ethnicity, religion, and any other affiliations. However, the challenges faced by immigrants, refugees, stateless people, and citizens of failed states in our times suggest that the link between citizenship and rights should not be ignored. This workshop will investigate the relation between citizenship and rights with the aim of discovering new ways of thinking in approaching humanitarian issues.
The conference includes a show and discussion of documentary “Newcomers” (2018) with director Ma’an Mouslli. The film shows interviews in which refugees talk about their own experiences.

alpha-Campus Talks, BR, 2017

Seit Donald Trump Präsident ist, hören wir oft, dass wir in einer "postfaktischen Gesellschaft" l... more Seit Donald Trump Präsident ist, hören wir oft, dass wir in einer "postfaktischen Gesellschaft" leben. Aber was sind "Fakten"? Und was für eine Rolle spielen sie für das Zusammenleben?

Paper given by Alice Pinheiro Walla (Trinity College, Dublin). This paper addresses problems aris... more Paper given by Alice Pinheiro Walla (Trinity College, Dublin). This paper addresses problems arising from Kant’s distinction between perfect and imperfect duties. Firstly, I discuss the intuition that imperfect duties are able to “trump” perfect ones under certain circumstances. If this intuition is correct, Kant’s distinction between perfect and imperfect duties seems irrelevant, since it is not the logical structure of the duty that tells us what is to be done under the circumstances. Further, if this intuition is correct, there is the also the worry that beneficence may be far more demanding than Kant himself realized. I also mention the “tragic side” of Kant’s moral theory, which does not exclude the possibility of agents having to sacrifice their happiness for the sake of morality. I offer possible ways to address these problems compatible with Kant’s theory.

Papers by Alice Pinheiro Walla

Jahrbuch für Recht Und Ethik / Annual Review of Law and Ethics. Themenschwerpunkt: Das Rechtsstaatsprinzip / The Rule of Law-Principle, 2013

In this paper, I provide an interpretation of the latitude of wide duties by analyzing Kant’s rei... more In this paper, I provide an interpretation of the latitude of wide duties by analyzing Kant’s reinterpretation of Horace’s adage insani sapiens nomen habeat; aequus iniqui - ultra quam satis est virtutem si petat ipsam (the wise man has the name of being a fool, the just man of being iniquitous, if he seeks virtue beyond what is sufficient”, MS VI: 404n., 409 and 433n) and his criticism of Aristotle’s doctrine of the mean. In support of my interpretation I also analyze Kant’s distinction between lying and reticence in his correspondence with Maria von Herbert and between openheartedness and reticence in the Religion. I argue that since there is no upper limit to the extent we may realize moral ends it may be morally permissible to take one’s prudential considerations into account when deciding how to comply with wide duties. In contrast, the deliberate disregard of one’s permissible prudential interests may reflect what Kant calls a fantastic conception of virtue, according to which agents vainly believe that they can completely achieve virtue in this life. I call attention to the fact that for Kant the wise (sapiens) is also a prudens, a person who does not think fantastically in matters of virtue and consequently does not attempt to “maximize virtue” at the expense of one’s permissible prudential interests as a finite being.

University of Wales Press, Mar 1, 2018

In this paper, I analyse a question arising from a careful reading of Kant's legal theory... more In this paper, I analyse a question arising from a careful reading of Kant's legal theory. In the private right section of the "Doctrine of Right", Kant argues that we must assume a permissive law of practical reason (Erlaubnisgesetz) authorizing us to become owners of external objects in order to avoid a contradiction of freedom with itself. However, soon after making the case for a permissive law, Kant also introduces the natural law theory notion of common possession of the earth (Gemeinbesitz der Erde) as the "legal title" (Rechtsgrund) enabling the division of the earth's land and resources. The question is thus: Why does Kant need to introduce the notion of common possession of the earth in addition to the permissive law authorizing the possibility of becoming owners of objects? Is the permissive law not sufficient for this purpose? I argue that answering this question will help us understand how Immanuel Kant can be said to be a social contract theorist. I will show that the idea of common possession of the earth (Gemeinbesitz der Erde) is supposed to account for an asymmetry between the right to external objects (Sachenrecht), as involving at some point the first acquisition of external objects, and other forms of private right. I argue that Kant needs common possession of the earth in addition to the permissive law in order to account for the consent required for the possibility of imposing an obligation on all others to respect one's possession of external things, a problem one does not have in regard to other forms of private right.

Human Dignity and the Kingdom of Ends, 2021

espanolLa posesion comun de la tierra fue una idea prominente en la filosofia moderna del siglo x... more espanolLa posesion comun de la tierra fue una idea prominente en la filosofia moderna del siglo xvii. En este articulo, sostendre que Kant no solo propuso una version secular de la posesion comun de la tierra, sino que tambien se diferencio de forma radical de la concepcion iusnaturalista de sus predecesores. Propongo que la revision kantiana del derecho cosmopolita se dirige al mismo problema que el derecho de necesidad de Grocio, a saber, la implausibilidad de asumir derechos adquiridos absolutos cuando esto contradice la razon por la que se introducen esos mismos derechos. Sin embargo, mientras que Grocio pretendio excusar violaciones de la propiedad privada en casos de necesidad, Kant limito su discusion al derecho de rechazar la entrada de personas en un territorio. Muestro que para Kant, negar la ocupacion del espacio que puede salvar la vida a otro ser humano que esta, en principio, tan legitimado como cualquier otro a tener un derecho en la tierra esta en contradiccion con l...

Moral Theory and Climate Change, 2020

Belgrade Philosophical Annual, 2015

Journal of Global Ethics, 2017

This doctoral thesis analyzes the systematic role of Kant’s conception of happiness in his moral,... more This doctoral thesis analyzes the systematic role of Kant’s conception of happiness in his moral, legal and political theory. Although many of his conclusions and arguments are directly or indirectly influenced by his conception of human happiness, Kant’s underlying assumptions are rarely overtly discussed or given much detail in his works. Kant also provides different and apparently incompatible definitions of happiness. This research explores the domains of Kant’s practical philosophy in which his conception of happiness plays a systematic role: the relation between the natural need of human beings to pursue happiness and the ends-oriented structure of the human will; Kant’s anti-eudaimonism in ethical theory; Kant’s claim that we have an indirect duty to promote our own happiness and the problem that under certain circumstances, the indeterminacy of happiness makes it not irrational to choose short term satisfaction at the costs of one’s overall, long term happiness, given Kant’s conception of non-moral choice as expectation of pleasure; Kant’s justification of the duty to adopt the happiness of others as our ends (the duty of beneficence) and the latitude and eventual demandingness of this duty; finally, since Kant also subsumes subsistence needs and welfare under the concept of happiness of individuals, I also engage with the question of state provision for the poor in the Kantian Rechtsstaat and explore Kant’s conception of equity or fairness (Billigkeit) as an alternative to the traditional minimalist and the welfare interpretations of the Kantian state

Archiv für Geschichte der Philosophie, 2014

A basic claim implicit in the idea of Human Rights is that human beings are entitled to certain i... more A basic claim implicit in the idea of Human Rights is that human beings are entitled to certain inalienable rights independent of their nationality, ethnicity, religion, and any other affiliations. However, the challenges faced by immigrants, refugees, stateless people, and citizens of failed states in our times suggest that the link between citizenship and rights should not be ignored. This workshop will investigate the relation between citizenship and rights with the aim of discovering new ways of thinking in approaching humanitarian issues.
The conference includes a show and discussion of documentary “Newcomers” (2018) with director Ma’an Mouslli. The film shows interviews in which refugees talk about their own experiences.

alpha-Campus Talks, BR, 2017

Seit Donald Trump Präsident ist, hören wir oft, dass wir in einer "postfaktischen Gesellschaft" l... more Seit Donald Trump Präsident ist, hören wir oft, dass wir in einer "postfaktischen Gesellschaft" leben. Aber was sind "Fakten"? Und was für eine Rolle spielen sie für das Zusammenleben?

Paper given by Alice Pinheiro Walla (Trinity College, Dublin). This paper addresses problems aris... more Paper given by Alice Pinheiro Walla (Trinity College, Dublin). This paper addresses problems arising from Kant’s distinction between perfect and imperfect duties. Firstly, I discuss the intuition that imperfect duties are able to “trump” perfect ones under certain circumstances. If this intuition is correct, Kant’s distinction between perfect and imperfect duties seems irrelevant, since it is not the logical structure of the duty that tells us what is to be done under the circumstances. Further, if this intuition is correct, there is the also the worry that beneficence may be far more demanding than Kant himself realized. I also mention the “tragic side” of Kant’s moral theory, which does not exclude the possibility of agents having to sacrifice their happiness for the sake of morality. I offer possible ways to address these problems compatible with Kant’s theory.

Jahrbuch für Recht Und Ethik / Annual Review of Law and Ethics. Themenschwerpunkt: Das Rechtsstaatsprinzip / The Rule of Law-Principle, 2013

In this paper, I provide an interpretation of the latitude of wide duties by analyzing Kant’s rei... more In this paper, I provide an interpretation of the latitude of wide duties by analyzing Kant’s reinterpretation of Horace’s adage insani sapiens nomen habeat; aequus iniqui - ultra quam satis est virtutem si petat ipsam (the wise man has the name of being a fool, the just man of being iniquitous, if he seeks virtue beyond what is sufficient”, MS VI: 404n., 409 and 433n) and his criticism of Aristotle’s doctrine of the mean. In support of my interpretation I also analyze Kant’s distinction between lying and reticence in his correspondence with Maria von Herbert and between openheartedness and reticence in the Religion. I argue that since there is no upper limit to the extent we may realize moral ends it may be morally permissible to take one’s prudential considerations into account when deciding how to comply with wide duties. In contrast, the deliberate disregard of one’s permissible prudential interests may reflect what Kant calls a fantastic conception of virtue, according to which agents vainly believe that they can completely achieve virtue in this life. I call attention to the fact that for Kant the wise (sapiens) is also a prudens, a person who does not think fantastically in matters of virtue and consequently does not attempt to “maximize virtue” at the expense of one’s permissible prudential interests as a finite being.

University of Wales Press, Mar 1, 2018

In this paper, I analyse a question arising from a careful reading of Kant's legal theory... more In this paper, I analyse a question arising from a careful reading of Kant's legal theory. In the private right section of the "Doctrine of Right", Kant argues that we must assume a permissive law of practical reason (Erlaubnisgesetz) authorizing us to become owners of external objects in order to avoid a contradiction of freedom with itself. However, soon after making the case for a permissive law, Kant also introduces the natural law theory notion of common possession of the earth (Gemeinbesitz der Erde) as the "legal title" (Rechtsgrund) enabling the division of the earth's land and resources. The question is thus: Why does Kant need to introduce the notion of common possession of the earth in addition to the permissive law authorizing the possibility of becoming owners of objects? Is the permissive law not sufficient for this purpose? I argue that answering this question will help us understand how Immanuel Kant can be said to be a social contract theorist. I will show that the idea of common possession of the earth (Gemeinbesitz der Erde) is supposed to account for an asymmetry between the right to external objects (Sachenrecht), as involving at some point the first acquisition of external objects, and other forms of private right. I argue that Kant needs common possession of the earth in addition to the permissive law in order to account for the consent required for the possibility of imposing an obligation on all others to respect one's possession of external things, a problem one does not have in regard to other forms of private right.

Human Dignity and the Kingdom of Ends, 2021

espanolLa posesion comun de la tierra fue una idea prominente en la filosofia moderna del siglo x... more espanolLa posesion comun de la tierra fue una idea prominente en la filosofia moderna del siglo xvii. En este articulo, sostendre que Kant no solo propuso una version secular de la posesion comun de la tierra, sino que tambien se diferencio de forma radical de la concepcion iusnaturalista de sus predecesores. Propongo que la revision kantiana del derecho cosmopolita se dirige al mismo problema que el derecho de necesidad de Grocio, a saber, la implausibilidad de asumir derechos adquiridos absolutos cuando esto contradice la razon por la que se introducen esos mismos derechos. Sin embargo, mientras que Grocio pretendio excusar violaciones de la propiedad privada en casos de necesidad, Kant limito su discusion al derecho de rechazar la entrada de personas en un territorio. Muestro que para Kant, negar la ocupacion del espacio que puede salvar la vida a otro ser humano que esta, en principio, tan legitimado como cualquier otro a tener un derecho en la tierra esta en contradiccion con l...

Moral Theory and Climate Change, 2020

Belgrade Philosophical Annual, 2015

Journal of Global Ethics, 2017

This doctoral thesis analyzes the systematic role of Kant’s conception of happiness in his moral,... more This doctoral thesis analyzes the systematic role of Kant’s conception of happiness in his moral, legal and political theory. Although many of his conclusions and arguments are directly or indirectly influenced by his conception of human happiness, Kant’s underlying assumptions are rarely overtly discussed or given much detail in his works. Kant also provides different and apparently incompatible definitions of happiness. This research explores the domains of Kant’s practical philosophy in which his conception of happiness plays a systematic role: the relation between the natural need of human beings to pursue happiness and the ends-oriented structure of the human will; Kant’s anti-eudaimonism in ethical theory; Kant’s claim that we have an indirect duty to promote our own happiness and the problem that under certain circumstances, the indeterminacy of happiness makes it not irrational to choose short term satisfaction at the costs of one’s overall, long term happiness, given Kant’s conception of non-moral choice as expectation of pleasure; Kant’s justification of the duty to adopt the happiness of others as our ends (the duty of beneficence) and the latitude and eventual demandingness of this duty; finally, since Kant also subsumes subsistence needs and welfare under the concept of happiness of individuals, I also engage with the question of state provision for the poor in the Kantian Rechtsstaat and explore Kant’s conception of equity or fairness (Billigkeit) as an alternative to the traditional minimalist and the welfare interpretations of the Kantian state

Archiv für Geschichte der Philosophie, 2014

Con-textos Kantianos: International Journal of Philosophy, 2018

Kant sees the gradual implementation of a cosmopolitan world order as necessary for securing peac... more Kant sees the gradual implementation of a cosmopolitan world order as necessary for securing peace at national and international level. However, he seems to be overoptimistic about the role of states and other political institutions in securing coordination and peace. In some passages Kant claims that a just juridical framework alone, as long as it is efficiently enforced, is enough to secure a large scale coordination of individual’s agency and a maximal protection of individual freedom. As I will show, other passages suggest that ethical motivation also has an important role to play in the achievement of peace and the implementation of a cosmopolitan world order. This is because good laws alone may produce “good citizens” (who do not infringe the law), but still does not make possible effective political participation and the necessary attitude required for the implementation and improvement of political institutions at national and international level. I will discuss Kant's c...

Ethical Theory and Moral Practice, 2015

How should we act? How should the world be organised? This new anthology on Kant’s practical phil... more How should we act? How should the world be organised? This new anthology on Kant’s practical philosophy guides the reader from the general question of the nature of reasons and rationality in Kant’s philosophical system to the Kantian task of promoting justice and peace at the global level. Contributions in this volume show how the Kantian idea of reason as a source of normativity is grounded, and which implications and applications the Kantian approach might bring about. The volume covers three areas: meta-ethics, political thought and theory, and applied politics. Although these are different spheres of thought, they are interconnected in an fundamental way through Kant’s account of normativity as derived from reason. The volume provides an overview of recent debates in Kant scholarship and ground-breaking new applications of Kant’s theory to current affairs.

Adam Cureton and Jan-Willem van der Rijt (eds.). Human Dignity and the Kingdom of Ends: Kantian P... more Adam Cureton and Jan-Willem van der Rijt (eds.). Human Dignity and the Kingdom of Ends: Kantian Perspectives and Practical Applications.