Kant The Copernican Revolution Soazig Le Bihan University

Kant, The Copernican Revolution Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana 1

Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Problem of Metaphysics 3. The Critical Method 4. The Fundamental Problem of Reason Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana 2

Introduction Kant’s Life and Work Kant’s life - (1724 -1804) Konisberg - Background - Lifestyle Kant’s works - The three Critique - less technical versions of K 1 and K 2 - On religion, politics and history A rigorously disciplined life – but not ascetical Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana 3

Introduction Kant’s philosophy Philosophy - What can I know? - What should I do? - What can I hope? What is man? A new discipline of philosophy: The CRITIQUE Metaphysics and Epistemology: - Beyond Dogmatism vs Skepticism - Beyond Empiricism vs Rationalism Kant hopes to bring about a true revolution in philosophy Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana 4

Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Problem of Metaphysics 3. The Critical Method 4. The Fundamental Problem of Reason Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana 5

The Problem of Metaphysics as a natural tendency Dogmatic Metaphysics The failure of Dogmatic Metaphysics - The secured path of a science: consensus - The examples of Logic, Mathematics and Physics - Metaphysics as a battle ground What to do about it? - Skepticism? - New method? Kant’s main question: Is metaphysics possible as a science? Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana 6

Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Problem of Metaphysics 3. The Critical Method 4. The Fundamental Problem of Reason Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana 7

The Critical Method Tribunal of Reason The Critique or Critical Method: Self-examination of reason Kant: the tribunal of reason Effects: - Negative effect: use of reason forbidden beyond the realm of experience - Positive effect: leaves room for faith Critique = systematic assessment of the boundaries of the proper use of reason Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana 8

The Critical Method The Copernican Revolution A common features in sciences: Character of the revolutions in math and physics: Reason Leads A similar revolution for metaphysics - Old ways of metaphysics: knowledge comes from our cognition conforming to external objects - New ways of metaphysics: knowledge comes from external objects conforming to our cognition Metaphysics as a science: determine the cognitive framework through which we apprehend the world. Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana 9

The Critical Method Objectivity Old notion of objectivity - External objects exist - Our knowledge is objective if it correspond to them New notion of objectivity - Objectivity is constructed, i. e. is the result of how our cognitive framework informs external objects Metaphysics as a science: determine the conditions of objectivity Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana 10

The Critical Method Conclusion Problem: How can metaphysics be a science? Method 1: Critique -- systematic investigation of the legitimate use of reason – Against speculative metaphysics Method 2: Copernican Revolution – determination how the external objects conform to our cognitive framework. àMetaphysics can be a science in determining the conditions of possibility of scientific knowledge. Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana 11

Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Problem of Metaphysics 3. The Critical Method 4. The Fundamental Problem of Reason Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana 12

From Hume to Kant A Priori vs A posteriori: Ways of knowing – derived from experience or not Analytic vs Synthetic Types of truths: tautological or not Hume and the empiricists: A priori = Analytic Kant wants to claim that this is not the case Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana 13

Kant and A priori Synthetic Judgments Starting Point: Scientific knowledge exist Problem: Scientific knowledge is made neither of analytic a priori judgments, nor of synthetic a priori judgments Conclusion: There must another kind of judgment Kant’s claim: Synthetic a priori judgments are constitutive of scientific knowledge Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana 14

The Fundamental Problem of Reason Our Problem: How is scientific knowledge possible? Scientific Knowledge = synthetic a priori judgments Our Problem becomes: How are synthetic a priori judgments possible? Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana 15