1/9/2016 Modern Philosophy PHIL320 1 Kant II Charles Manekin

04/21/2304/21/23 Modern Philosophy PHIL320Modern Philosophy PHIL320 11

Kant IIKant II

Charles ManekinCharles Manekin


Topics of DiscussionTopics of Discussion

Metaphysics as an a priori scienceMetaphysics as an a priori science The analytic/synthetic distinctionThe analytic/synthetic distinction Synthetic a priori judgments Synthetic a priori judgments How is pure mathematics possible? How is pure mathematics possible?


On the Sources of MetaphysicsOn the Sources of Metaphysics

The importance of the “sources” question.• For Kant, metaphysics cannot be an empirical science.• Its concepts (e.g., cause, substance, etc.) and its

maxims (e.g., ‘Effect effect has a cause”) must be a priori, i.e., not derived from experience.

“Pure” means, for Kant, pure of any empirical content.

Metaphysics is like mathematics (which is also pure and a priori), but differs in the objects and the maxims; it is philosophical, whereas mathematics is not.


Analytic and synthetic judgmentsAnalytic and synthetic judgments

“Analytic” or “explicative” judgments.• The predicate is implicitly thought in the

subject; the predicate-concept is contained within the subject-concept.

• This is not a subjective criterion; some judgments are not analytics for some people, not analytics for others.

• Example: “All bodies are extended” . No amplification of the subject, just analysis.

• Even judgments with empirical concepts can be analytic. “Gold is a yellow metal.”


Analytic and synthetic judgmentsAnalytic and synthetic judgments

“Synthetic” or “expansive” judgments.• The predicate is not even implicitly thought in

the subject; the predicate-concept is not contained within the subject-concept; it adds to it.

• Example: “All bodies have weight”. “Weight” amplifies my knowledge of body.

• When I make such a judgment, I put/think together the predicate and the subject concepts; hence the judgments are synthetic.


All Analytics Judgments are known All Analytics Judgments are known a prioria priori

All Analytic judgments are based on the Law of Contradiction. • Since the predicate is already contained within

the subject, the predicate cannot be denied without denying the subject, i.e., without contradiction

• In effect, they reduce to identity statements.• All bachelors are unmarried males.

Bachelors=df unmarried males All unmarried males are unmarried males


Are all synthetic propositions a Are all synthetic propositions a posteriori?posteriori?

Well, empirical judgments, i.e., judgments of Well, empirical judgments, i.e., judgments of experience, are.experience, are.

But – and here is the shock – there are some But – and here is the shock – there are some synthetic propositions that are synthetic propositions that are a prioria priori

How are mathematical judgments synthetic? How are mathematical judgments synthetic? ““7+5=12”. The subject concept involves a 7+5=12”. The subject concept involves a

combination of two numbers in a single number. combination of two numbers in a single number. But in order to have the concept of sum, i.e., of But in order to have the concept of sum, i.e., of adding of some units to another, we need some adding of some units to another, we need some features of experience.features of experience.

Mathematical judgments proceed by way of the Mathematical judgments proceed by way of the construction of concepts.construction of concepts.

Hume’s Fork Needs be a TridentHume’s Fork Needs be a Trident


Metaphysical judgments are Metaphysical judgments are syntheticsynthetic

Here, too, one can distinguish between judgments pertaining to metaphysics (“Substance underlies properties”) and metaphysical judgments (“Substance is permanent.”)

• The first is analytics, the second is not.• “The generation of a priori knowledge by

intuition (experience) and well as by concepts, in fine, of synthetical propositions a priori, especially in philosophical knowledge, constitutes the essential subject of metaphysics.”


Is Metaphysics Possible?Is Metaphysics Possible?

Well, the important judgments of metaphysics are synthetic and a priori.

So, are synthetic a priori judgments possible?

Well, mathematical judgments are synthetic a priori. And nobody disputes the mathematics.

So how are the synthetic a priori judgments of mathematics possible?


Transcendental QuestionsTranscendental Questions

How is pure mathematics possible?How is pure mathematics possible? How is pure natural science How is pure natural science

possible?possible? How is metaphysics in general How is metaphysics in general

possible?possible? How is metaphysics as a science How is metaphysics as a science

possible?possible?


Prolegomena to Part One of the Prolegomena to Part One of the ProlegomenaProlegomena

““Intuition” – the act and content of sense-perception, “a Intuition” – the act and content of sense-perception, “a species of representation which is distinguished by being species of representation which is distinguished by being in immediate relation to objects and which purports to in immediate relation to objects and which purports to relate to individual objects. relate to individual objects.

“Forms of intuition” – the features common to all our intuitions, which shape our intuitions.

• Space and time are a priori forms of intuition. All of our sense-perceptions are spatial and temporal.

“Matter of intuition” – our sensations. Inner sense vs. outer sense. “By means of outer sense, a

property of our mind, we represent to ourselves objects as outside us and, without exception, in space.” Space and time are the forms of outer sense; time of inner sense.


Can there be pure intuition of Can there be pure intuition of underlying reality?underlying reality?

The answer: no. Space and time are not properties of

things in themselves. Rather, they are properties of things as they appear to us.


How does one intuit something a How does one intuit something a priori?priori?

Doesn’t intution (sense-perception) require experience?

If intuition were of things of themselves, then the answer would be yes. But they are of things as they appear to us. So the appearance has certain features that are known a priori – space and time.

This guarantees their necessity and universality.


Is this Idealism?Is this Idealism?

The answer is no and yes; it is not the skeptical idealism of Descartes, nor that of the visionary idealist, Berkeley.

Kant does not get rid of things in themselves. Rather, he claims that they are not knowable.

Still, he does make the claim that all spatial temporal properties derive from space and time being forms of intution.


• Sense perception is not an imperfect, obscure representation of things the way they are; rather is the accurate representation of things the way they appear.

• Sense perception is errorless; the problem occurs when judgment comes in.


The Sources of the Pure Science of The Sources of the Pure Science of NatureNature

These will be found in the Pure Concepts of the Understanding.

The distinction between judgments of The distinction between judgments of perception and judgments of experience.perception and judgments of experience.• J of p require the logical conception of J of p require the logical conception of

perception in a thinking substance.perception in a thinking substance.• ““The room is warm” – judgment of perception. I The room is warm” – judgment of perception. I

simply put together the subject and object, but simply put together the subject and object, but this does not constitute experience.this does not constitute experience.

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1/9/2016 Modern Philosophy PHIL320 1 Kant II Charles Manekin