While reading Immanuel Kant's Observations on the
Feeling of the Beautiful and Sublime, I also noticed something interesting in Section Four of the book, which is entitled “Of National Characteristics, so far as They
Depend upon the Distinct Feeling of the Beautiful and Sublime.” At one point, Kant describes a situation in which a white man
accused a black man of “haughty treatment toward his wives” (Kant 113). The
black man replied, “‘You whites are indeed fools, for first you make great
concessions to your wives, and afterward you complain when they drive you mad’”
(Kant 113). I believe that Kant’s response to this situation is a bit racist
because he states, “And it might be that there were something in this which
perhaps deserved to be considered; but in short, this fellow was quite black
from head to foot, a clear proof that what he said was stupid” (Kant 113). As with my last post, I am curious if anyone agrees or disagrees with me when I say that Kant's comment was racist.
I would say this is racist due to the fact that Kant believes this man is stupid because he is black and uses it as proof. With this being stated, he obviously believes that blacks are inferior. Due to the era of which Kant grew up, this thinking was accepted by society and not seen as wrong. However, now that most of us thankfully know better we can learn from the past.
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