Dignity and Necessity: Wood on Kant’s Ethical Thoughts

In Wood’s view, the idea of moral autonomy and kingdom of ends based on human dignity are the essential significance of Kant’s ethics, the bridge that connects the formulas of Kant’s moral laws, and the fundamental value premise that clarifies Kant’s entire system of practical philosophy. Despite some puzzles, Wood’s innovative interpretation expanded the thought space for understanding Kant’s ethics from the perspective of practical anthropology such as social politics, natural history, and emotional desire etc. This interpretation model is not only different from Rawlsian constructionism, but also the distinct approach for defending Kant’s enlightenment spirit and community ideal through reflections on misunderstandings and criticisms.