Kant, The Copernican Revolution

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

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

3. Introduction Kant’s Life and Work • 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  A rigorously disciplined life – but not ascetical Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

4. Introduction Kant’s philosophy • Philosophy • What can I know? • What should I do? • What can I hope? A new discipline of philosophy: The CRITIQUE What is man? • 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

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

6. Metaphysics as a natural tendency Dogmatic Metaphysics The Problem of 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

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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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. • Metaphysics can be a science in determining the conditions of possibility of scientific knowledge. Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

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

13. A Priori vs A posteriori: Ways of knowing – derived from experience or not From Hume to Kant 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

14. Starting Point: Scientific knowledge exist Kant and A priori Synthetic Judgments 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

15. 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