THE PRAGMATIC FUNCTION OF FRIENDSHIP IN THE KANTIAN EDUCATIONAL PROCESS

Abstract

ABSTRACT

The text deals with the concept of friendship in Kant, based on the work On Pedagogy. Kant, in this writing, states that the child should maintain friendly relationships with others and not always live in isolation. It is known that friendship is not a central theme of critical philosophy, however, the philosopher dedicates several paragraphs to the theme in the Lessons of Ethics, in the Metaphysics of Morals, in Anthropology from a pragmatic point of view and in the On Pedagogy. Thus, we can ask ourselves: in the general context of kantian anthropology, what role does friendship (Freundschat) play for the philosopher to dedicate consecutive paragraphs to it? Perhaps the answer to this question does not exactly lie in Anthropology from a Pragmatic point of view, but in the work Pedagogy. Observing friendship from Pedagogy is realizing that we are not facing a mere feeling, however, an ability inherent to life in society. Such ability must be cultivated as a trait of the child's character, aiming at the development of sociability and, thus avoiding isolation. With this, the vices of misanthropy and ferocity typical of wild indiscipline, are also prevented.