About NAKS

The purpose of the North American Kant Society (NAKS) is to further study of the works of Immanuel Kant from a variety of perspectives. We encourage the participation by scholars and students in all relevant areas: all those interested in Kant, whether philosophers, political scientists, literary scholars, historians, scholars of religion, etc., whether researchers, teachers, students, or simply Kant enthusiasts.  While primarily centered in North America, NAKS welcomes members from all areas of the globe.

We organize activities and prizes that aim to help students and scholars at different career stages interact and share their work in an atmosphere of cordiality and rigor.   Participation in NAKS sponsored events requires NAKS membership. 

These are our main initiatives:

• Markus Herz Student Essay Prize.  Since 2000, this prize has been awarded annually to the best graduate student paper presented at one of our regional Study Group meetings.

• Wilfrid Sellars Junior Scholar Essay Prize.  This prize was first awarded in 2010. It is given annually for an essay on any topic that demonstrates the continued relevance of Kant’s philosophy.  The goal of the Sellars Prize is to provide recognition to and support for young scholars in the early stages of their careers. "Junior" is defined as fewer than ten years from the receipt of the PhD (or highest degree earned) on the day that submissions are due.
   
• NAKS Senior Scholar Prize.  This award represents the capstone of our architectonic system of prizes.  It is awarded for an outstanding article or book (article and book prizes offered on alternating years) that is concerned with any aspect of Kant's or Kantian thought.   "Senior" is defined as at least ten years from the receipt of the Ph.D. (or highest degree earned) on the day that nominations are due.
  
  
• Electronic Newsletter. Our quarterly newsletter is now electronic. Members can find current and prior issues in the "Members Only" section of the website.
  
  
• Plurality and Community Committee. The purpose of the Plurality and Community Committee is to advise the Executive Committee on ways in which the North American Kant Society can embody a pluralistic community — how NAKS can be more welcoming to a broader range of persons interested in Kant scholarship than has historically been represented in the field, open-minded with respect to what counts as important and as methodologically sound, and how NAKS can promote a more inclusive attitude among its members.
  
  
• NAKS Regional Study Groups and Virtual NAKS.
  
  
• Bibliography. This has been complied and edited since 2010 by Steve Naragon, and is available to members on that part of the site.

Kantian philosophy and scholarship in North America are steadily growing in quality, quantity, and influence.  Our goal at NAKS is to support, promote, and celebrate this work.

History

The North American Kant Society was founded in 1985 at the Sixth International Kant Congress, held at the Pennsylvania State University.  Hoke Robinson founded and served as the first president of NAKS. Karl Ameriks, Sharon Anderson-Gold, Richard Aquila, Patricia Kitcher, Pauline Kleingeld, Robert Louden, Pablo Muchnik, Nelson Potter, Rachel Zuckert and Andrew Chignell have also served as presidents. Past vice presidents include Michelle Grier, Jane Kneller, Pablo Muchnik, Oliver Sensen, Helga Varden, Eric Watkins, Günter Zöller and Huaping Lu-Adler.

Constitution

Click here to view NAKS's constitution, which was last updated in June 2020.