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 K1 and K2
- 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
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
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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.
Metaphysics 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
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Montana
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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
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