"European Savages": Kant's Defence and Critique of Colonialism, in Historische Urteilskraft 05 (2023) (original) (raw)

Thomas Khurana explores Immanuel Kant's views on colonialism, revealing the complexity of his stance within Enlightenment thought. Initially perceived as an opponent of colonialism due to his moral philosophy emphasizing human dignity and self-determination, Kant's later works signify a nuanced shift where he critiques colonial practices yet fails to support the colonized's right to resist. This analysis highlights the tension in Kant's thought, which both legitimizes and critiques colonialism, reflecting the duality of Enlightenment ideals.