Kants Konzeption der Tugend als Habitus der Freiheit

This study, through an interpretation of primary texts as well as a comparative analysis of ancient virtue ethics, brings into sharp focus Kant’s own conception of virtue. Distinctive to that conception is not only strength of will, a theme typically emphasized by scholars, but also what the author calls the habit of freedom—a habit emerging from the strength of lawgiving reason, and yet a habit accompanied by “lightness.” This “ease” is no mere facile uniformity resulting from habitual action, but must be understood as a free skill. Hence, the foundation of the practice of virtue leading to inner freedom is a state of mind enabling both free deliberation concerning principles and also a corresponding determination of the will.