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Kant, The Copernican Kant, The Copernican RevolutionRevolution

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

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OutlineOutline

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

1. Introduction

2. The Problem of Metaphysics

3. The Critical Method

4. The Fundamental Problem of Reason

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IntroductionIntroductionKant’s Life and WorkKant’s Life and Work

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

A rigorously disciplined life – but not ascetical

Kant’s life- (1724-1804) Konisberg- Background - Lifestyle

Kant’s works- The three Critique- less technical versions of K1 and K2 - On religion, politics and history

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IntroductionIntroductionKant’s philosophyKant’s philosophy

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

Kant hopes to bring about a true revolution in philosophy

A new discipline of philosophy: The CRITIQUE

Philosophy- What can I know?- What should I do? - What can I hope?

What is man?

Metaphysics and Epistemology: - Beyond Dogmatism vs Skepticism- Beyond Empiricism vs Rationalism

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OutlineOutline

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

1. Introduction

2. The Problem of Metaphysics

4. The Fundamental Problem of Reason

3. The Critical Method

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The Problem of MetaphysicsThe Problem of Metaphysics

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

Kant’s main question: Is metaphysics possible as a science?

Metaphysics as a natural tendencyDogmatic 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?

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OutlineOutline

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

1. Introduction

2. The Problem of Metaphysics

4. The Fundamental Problem of Reason

3. The Critical Method

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The Critical MethodThe Critical MethodTribunal of Reason Tribunal of Reason

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

Critique = systematic assessment of the boundaries of the proper use of reason

The Critique or Critical Method: Self-examination of reasonKant: the tribunal of reason

Effects:- Negative effect: use of reason forbidden beyond the realm of experience- Positive effect: leaves room for faith

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The Critical MethodThe Critical MethodThe Copernican RevolutionThe Copernican Revolution

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

Metaphysics as a science: determine the cognitive framework through which we apprehend the world.

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

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The Critical MethodThe Critical MethodObjectivityObjectivity

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

Metaphysics as a science: determine the conditions of 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

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The Critical MethodThe Critical MethodConclusionConclusion

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

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.

Metaphysics can be a science in determining the conditions of possibility of scientific knowledge.

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OutlineOutline

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

1. Introduction

2. The Problem of Metaphysics

4. The Fundamental Problem of Reason

3. The Critical Method

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From Hume to KantFrom Hume to Kant

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

Kant wants to claim that this is not the case

A Priori vs A posteriori: Ways of knowing – derived from experience or not

Analytic vs SyntheticTypes of truths: tautological or not

Hume and the empiricists:A priori = Analytic

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Kant and A priori Synthetic Kant and A priori Synthetic JudgmentsJudgments

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

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

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The Fundamental Problem of The Fundamental Problem of ReasonReason

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

Our Problem: How is scientific knowledge possible?

Scientific Knowledge = synthetic a priori judgments

Our Problem becomes: How are synthetic a priori judgments possible?