Karl Ameriks
Kant's Theory of the Mind: An  Analysis of the Paralogisms of Pure Reason.
Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1982. First edition. 0198246617 ix/314 pages.
Volume, measuring approximately 5.75" x 8.75", is bound in black cloth, with stamped gilt lettering to spine. Book is in fine condition, with solid binding, clean and bright interior. Price-clipped dust jacket exhibits close tear at top of front spine edge and sunning to spine. Jacket is preserved in mylar cover.
"In this book Professor Ameriks presents a close discussion of each of the several topics in the chapter on the Paralogisms in Kant's "Critique of Pure Reason": the mind's immateriality, simplicity, substantiality, relation to embodiment and the external world, identity, immortality, freedom, and ideality. An analytical reconstruction and evaluation of Kant's arguments on these issues is combined with a thorough historical account of the many important but neglected things Kant had to say on them in his other works, lectures, and letters. From this perspective a criticism is offered on many important interpretations (English and German) that have led to extreme and contradictory conclusions because of an inadequately comprehensive grasp of Kant's theory. In particular, the author argues that (1) an in depth historical study of the Paralogisms reveals it is much more indebted to Rationalism than most readers have realized, and (2) so understood, a systematic contemporary evaluation of Kant's theory can show that it is much more defensible than most prominent interpreters have allowed."