Kant did not initially intend to write the Critique of Practical Reason, let alone three Critiques. It was primarily the reactions to the Critique of Pure Reason and the Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals that encouraged Kant to develop his moral philosophy in the second Critique. This volume presents both new and first-time English translations of texts written by Kant's predecessors and contemporaries that he read and responded to in the Critique of Practical Reason. It also includes several subsequent reactions to the second Critique. Together, the translations in this volume present the Critique of Practical Reason in its full historical context, offering scholars and students new insight into Kant's moral philosophy. The detailed editorial material appended to each of the eleven chapters helps introduce readers to the life and works of the authors, outlines the texts translated, and points to relevant passages across Kant's works.

‘To understand many of the issues that have been debated ever since Kant published his second Critique, we have to understand the work's own immediate reception.  Michael Walschots's judicious selection of materials, his lucid translations, and his insightful introductions make all of this possible. This book will be transformative for the study of Kant's moral philosophy in the English-speaking world.'

Paul Guyer - Brown University

‘Michael Walschots’ volume contains excellent English translations of carefully selected texts that are essential for anyone - student and scholar alike - who wants to understand Kant’s practical philosophy in its proper historical context. With excerpts from Wolff, Crusius, Flatt, Tittel, Pistorius, Wizenmann, Feder, Rehberg, and Garve, it gives readers extraordinarily useful insight into the milieu in which Kant wrote his famous works on morality.’

Eric Watkins - University of California, San Diego