Dierksmeier, Claus2019-09-252019-09-252014-01-06http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12424/199083In this article I investigate how Kant‟s philosophy contributes universalistic arguments in favor of a humanistic ethics. Kant moved the idea of freedom to the center of his philosophy, arguing that from a reflection on the nature of human freedom a self-critical assessment of its morally appropriate use could be gleaned. Therein, that is, in construing his ethics from (subjective) self-reflection rather than resting it on presumed (objective) values, and in construing norms of interpersonal validity from the individual perspective („bottom-up‟) rather than through („topdown‟) references to prearranged ethical or metaphysical orders, lies Kant‟s innovation in ethics theory.Pages: 19engWith permission of the license/copyright holderhumanistic ethicsImmanuel KantGlobal ethicsPolitical ethicsEthics of political systemsGovernance and ethicsEconomic ethicsBusiness ethicsEthics of economic systemsMethods of ethicsGeneral and historicalPhilosophical ethicsEnvironmental ethicsEthics of global commonsGeneral theology/otherPreprint