Lucy Allais
Biographic Data
| ID | 1131498 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Lucy Allais |
| GIVEN NAMES | Lucy |
| FAMILY NAME | Allais |
| SIGNATURE | ALLAIS L |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of the Witwatersrand |
| VERIFIED | No |
| TOTAL WORKS | 25 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 103 |
| WORKS AS AUTHOR | 24 |
| WORKS AS EDITOR | 1 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2004 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2025 |
| H-INDEX | 5 |
Relations, Communing, and Intuitions
I respond to Metz’s A Relational Moral Theory by raising some concerns with his account of ‘rightness as friendliness’ both as a moral theory and in relation to its supposed Africanness, as well as by suggesting some places where it could be clarified. I argue that his account of moral status as based on the capacity for friendship is more individualist than the accounts with which he compares it. Distinguishing between an account of what grounds…
Objective imperatives . By RalphWalker
Jens Timmermann
Kantian appearances and intentional objects
Reason, cultural plurality and individuality between literature and philosophy
Metz, “How the West Was One”; Metz, “Toward an African Moral Theory”; Allais, “Humanness and Harmony.” I discuss this in (Allais, “Humanness and Harmony.”).13 Metz, “How the West Was One,” 1178.14 Wiredu warned against this decades ago. Wiredu, “How Not to Compare African Traditional,” originally published in 1976. See also (Allais, “Humanness and Harmony.”; Etieyibo, “African Philosophy”; Ramose, “But Hans Kelsen.”15 Jackson, The African Novel o…
Perdón y memoria
In this introduction, we argue for a basic idea. Community-based spaces for promoting forgiveness and memory-making bear the promise of promoting some of the cultural transformations needed for thick, structural reconciliation. As we show by discussing some recent examples taken from the Colombian context of the past decade, these spaces do not compete, but actually complement a pragmatic, thin institutional design for reconciliation. This idea, …
Humanness and Harmony
In this paper I present a critique of some aspects of Thad Metz’s attempt to develop an African moral theory grounded on the value of ubuntu. I question the sense in which this theory is African, as well as his attempt to ground human rights on his single value theory of ubuntu. In a number of publications Thad Metz has given a clear, analytic account of what ubuntu is. Metz’s work on ubuntu does two things: 1) explains the content of ubuntu: wha…
Kant and Animals
Replies to Critics
An abstract is not available for this content so a preview has been provided. Please use the Get access link above for information on how to access this content
Conceptualism and Nonconceptualism in Kant
As one of the main proponents of Kantian nonconceptualism, Lucy Allais provides a helpful overview of the current debate on nonconceptualism in Kant scholarship by drawing on those papers that represent what appear to be central argumentative possibilities. She also responds to certain objections from conceptualists, and in specific respects makes concessions to the conceptualist, whilst holding on to her original claim that Kant is committed to …
Problematising Western philosophy as one part of Africanising the curriculum
This paper argues that one part of the picture of thinking about decolonising the philosophy curriculum should include problematising the notion of Western philosophy. I argue that there are many problems with the idea of Western philosophy, and with the idea that decolonising the curriculum should involve rejecting so-called Western philosophy. I therefore conclude that a central part of curriculum change should be problematising Western philoso…
Kant's Racism
After a long period of comparative neglect, in the last few decades growing numbers of philosophers have been paying attention to the startling contrast presented between Kant's universal moral theory, with its inspiring enlightenment ideas of human autonomy, equality and dignity and Kant's racism. Against Charles Mills, who argues that the way to make Kant consistent is by attributing to him a threshold notion of moral personhood, according to w…
Manifest Reality
This book presents an interpretation of Kant’s transcendental idealism. It argues that his distinction between things in themselves and things as they appear to us has both epistemological and metaphysical components. He is committed to a genuine idealism about things as they appear to us, but this is not a phenomenalist idealism. He is committed to the claim that there is an aspect of reality that grounds mind-dependent spatio-temporal objects, …
The Ethical, Legal and Human Rights Concerns Raised by Licensing HIV Self-Testing for Private Use
Kitcher on the Deduction
Restorative Justice, Retributive Justice, and the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Transcendental Idealism and the Transcendental Deduction
Transcendental idealism and metaphysics
Kant, Non-Conceptual Content and the Representation of Space
Der Raum is kein empirischer Begriff, der von äußeren Erfahrungen abgezogen worden. Denn damit gewisse Empfindungen auf etwas außer mir bezogen werden, (d.i. auf etwas in einem andern Orte des Raumes, als darinnen ich mich befinde,) imgleichen damit ich sie als außer und neben einander, mithin nicht bloß verschieden, sondern als in verschiedenen Orten vorstellen können, dazu muß die Vorstellung des Raumes schon zum Grunde liegen. (A23/B39)
Dissolving Reactive Attitudes
In `Freedom and Resentment,' Strawson argues that we cannot separate holding people morally responsible for their actions from specific emotional responses, which he calls reactive attitudes, which we are disposed towards in response to people's actions. Strawson's view might pose problems for forgiveness, in which we choose to overcome reactive attitudes like resentment without altering the judgments that make them appropriate. I present a detai…
Forgiveness and Mercy
This paper argues that forgiveness is not best understood in terms of waiving a requirement of justice, and, specifically, that forgiveness is distinct from mercy. I question some reasons philosophers have given for distinguishing forgiveness and mercy, but argue that the difference between the two notions can be clearly shown by considering the standard grounds for which they are granted. I argue that while mercy involves leniency in the inflict…
Wiping the Slate Clean
Social justice and retributive justice
This paper argues that our primary concern in responding to wrongdoing should be distinct from our concern with the just distribution of wealth: retributive justice serves an important moral end that is independent of the promotion of welfare. I proceed by comparing retributive justice to restorative justice, because the latter offers a paradigm often aimed at replacing retributive justice, and is more closely concerned with social justice. I sug…
Intrinsic Natures
This paper argues that there is an important respect in which Rae Langton's recent interpretation of Kant is correct: Kant's claim that we cannot know things in themselves should be understood as the claim that we cannot know the intrinsic nature of things. However, I dispute Langton's account of intrinsic properties, and therefore her version of what this claim amounts to. Langton's distinction between intrinsic, causally inert properties and ca…
Kant's One World
Manifest Reality
This book presents an interpretation of Kant’s transcendental idealism. It argues that his distinction between things in themselves and things as they appear to us has both epistemological and metaphysical components. He is committed to a genuine idealism about things as they appear to us, but this is not a phenomenalist idealism. He is committed to the claim that there is an aspect of reality that grounds mind-dependent spatio-temporal objects, …
Kant's Racism
After a long period of comparative neglect, in the last few decades growing numbers of philosophers have been paying attention to the startling contrast presented between Kant's universal moral theory, with its inspiring enlightenment ideas of human autonomy, equality and dignity and Kant's racism. Against Charles Mills, who argues that the way to make Kant consistent is by attributing to him a threshold notion of moral personhood, according to w…
Wiping the Slate Clean
Kant's One World
Restorative Justice, Retributive Justice, and the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Problematising Western philosophy as one part of Africanising the curriculum
This paper argues that one part of the picture of thinking about decolonising the philosophy curriculum should include problematising the notion of Western philosophy. I argue that there are many problems with the idea of Western philosophy, and with the idea that decolonising the curriculum should involve rejecting so-called Western philosophy. I therefore conclude that a central part of curriculum change should be problematising Western philoso…
Intrinsic Natures
This paper argues that there is an important respect in which Rae Langton's recent interpretation of Kant is correct: Kant's claim that we cannot know things in themselves should be understood as the claim that we cannot know the intrinsic nature of things. However, I dispute Langton's account of intrinsic properties, and therefore her version of what this claim amounts to. Langton's distinction between intrinsic, causally inert properties and ca…
Transcendental idealism and metaphysics
Kantian appearances and intentional objects
Dissolving Reactive Attitudes
In `Freedom and Resentment,' Strawson argues that we cannot separate holding people morally responsible for their actions from specific emotional responses, which he calls reactive attitudes, which we are disposed towards in response to people's actions. Strawson's view might pose problems for forgiveness, in which we choose to overcome reactive attitudes like resentment without altering the judgments that make them appropriate. I present a detai…
Kant's One World
Intrinsic Natures
This paper argues that there is an important respect in which Rae Langton's recent interpretation of Kant is correct: Kant's claim that we cannot know things in themselves should be understood as the claim that we cannot know the intrinsic nature of things. However, I dispute Langton's account of intrinsic properties, and therefore her version of what this claim amounts to. Langton's distinction between intrinsic, causally inert properties and ca…
Dissolving Reactive Attitudes
In `Freedom and Resentment,' Strawson argues that we cannot separate holding people morally responsible for their actions from specific emotional responses, which he calls reactive attitudes, which we are disposed towards in response to people's actions. Strawson's view might pose problems for forgiveness, in which we choose to overcome reactive attitudes like resentment without altering the judgments that make them appropriate. I present a detai…
Forgiveness and Mercy
This paper argues that forgiveness is not best understood in terms of waiving a requirement of justice, and, specifically, that forgiveness is distinct from mercy. I question some reasons philosophers have given for distinguishing forgiveness and mercy, but argue that the difference between the two notions can be clearly shown by considering the standard grounds for which they are granted. I argue that while mercy involves leniency in the inflict…
Wiping the Slate Clean
Social justice and retributive justice
This paper argues that our primary concern in responding to wrongdoing should be distinct from our concern with the just distribution of wealth: retributive justice serves an important moral end that is independent of the promotion of welfare. I proceed by comparing retributive justice to restorative justice, because the latter offers a paradigm often aimed at replacing retributive justice, and is more closely concerned with social justice. I sug…
Kant, Non-Conceptual Content and the Representation of Space
Der Raum is kein empirischer Begriff, der von äußeren Erfahrungen abgezogen worden. Denn damit gewisse Empfindungen auf etwas außer mir bezogen werden, (d.i. auf etwas in einem andern Orte des Raumes, als darinnen ich mich befinde,) imgleichen damit ich sie als außer und neben einander, mithin nicht bloß verschieden, sondern als in verschiedenen Orten vorstellen können, dazu muß die Vorstellung des Raumes schon zum Grunde liegen. (A23/B39)
Transcendental Idealism and the Transcendental Deduction
Transcendental idealism and metaphysics
Restorative Justice, Retributive Justice, and the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Kitcher on the Deduction
The Ethical, Legal and Human Rights Concerns Raised by Licensing HIV Self-Testing for Private Use
Manifest Reality
This book presents an interpretation of Kant’s transcendental idealism. It argues that his distinction between things in themselves and things as they appear to us has both epistemological and metaphysical components. He is committed to a genuine idealism about things as they appear to us, but this is not a phenomenalist idealism. He is committed to the claim that there is an aspect of reality that grounds mind-dependent spatio-temporal objects, …
Replies to Critics
An abstract is not available for this content so a preview has been provided. Please use the Get access link above for information on how to access this content
Conceptualism and Nonconceptualism in Kant
As one of the main proponents of Kantian nonconceptualism, Lucy Allais provides a helpful overview of the current debate on nonconceptualism in Kant scholarship by drawing on those papers that represent what appear to be central argumentative possibilities. She also responds to certain objections from conceptualists, and in specific respects makes concessions to the conceptualist, whilst holding on to her original claim that Kant is committed to …
Problematising Western philosophy as one part of Africanising the curriculum
This paper argues that one part of the picture of thinking about decolonising the philosophy curriculum should include problematising the notion of Western philosophy. I argue that there are many problems with the idea of Western philosophy, and with the idea that decolonising the curriculum should involve rejecting so-called Western philosophy. I therefore conclude that a central part of curriculum change should be problematising Western philoso…
Kant's Racism
After a long period of comparative neglect, in the last few decades growing numbers of philosophers have been paying attention to the startling contrast presented between Kant's universal moral theory, with its inspiring enlightenment ideas of human autonomy, equality and dignity and Kant's racism. Against Charles Mills, who argues that the way to make Kant consistent is by attributing to him a threshold notion of moral personhood, according to w…
Kant and Animals
Humanness and Harmony
In this paper I present a critique of some aspects of Thad Metz’s attempt to develop an African moral theory grounded on the value of ubuntu. I question the sense in which this theory is African, as well as his attempt to ground human rights on his single value theory of ubuntu. In a number of publications Thad Metz has given a clear, analytic account of what ubuntu is. Metz’s work on ubuntu does two things: 1) explains the content of ubuntu: wha…
Reason, cultural plurality and individuality between literature and philosophy
Metz, “How the West Was One”; Metz, “Toward an African Moral Theory”; Allais, “Humanness and Harmony.” I discuss this in (Allais, “Humanness and Harmony.”).13 Metz, “How the West Was One,” 1178.14 Wiredu warned against this decades ago. Wiredu, “How Not to Compare African Traditional,” originally published in 1976. See also (Allais, “Humanness and Harmony.”; Etieyibo, “African Philosophy”; Ramose, “But Hans Kelsen.”15 Jackson, The African Novel o…
Perdón y memoria
In this introduction, we argue for a basic idea. Community-based spaces for promoting forgiveness and memory-making bear the promise of promoting some of the cultural transformations needed for thick, structural reconciliation. As we show by discussing some recent examples taken from the Colombian context of the past decade, these spaces do not compete, but actually complement a pragmatic, thin institutional design for reconciliation. This idea, …
Objective imperatives . By RalphWalker
Jens Timmermann
Kantian appearances and intentional objects
Relations, Communing, and Intuitions
I respond to Metz’s A Relational Moral Theory by raising some concerns with his account of ‘rightness as friendliness’ both as a moral theory and in relation to its supposed Africanness, as well as by suggesting some places where it could be clarified. I argue that his account of moral status as based on the capacity for friendship is more individualist than the accounts with which he compares it. Distinguishing between an account of what grounds…
Epistemology (18 works) · Philosophy (16 works) · Philosophical Ethics and Theory (10 works) · Sociology (10 works) · Law (9 works) · Political science (9 works) · Political Philosophy and Ethics (7 works) · Psychology (7 works) · Philosophy (6 works) · Epistemology, Ethics, and Metaphysics (5 works)