Symbolic representation fulfills a crucial function in Kant's practical philosophy because it serves to mediate between the unconditionality of the categorical imperative and the inescapable finiteness of the human being. Heiner Bielefeldt offers a unique perspective on how various facets of Kant's philosophy cohere in this study. He demonstrates how the nature of symbolic representation plays out across all areas of practical philosophy—moral philosophy, legal philosophy, philosophy of history and philosophy of religion.