Kant

• What are the key concepts in Kantian epistemology regarding knowledge and validity?

  • Key concepts in Kantian epistemology include:
  • A priori: Universally and necessarily valid without requiring empirical verification.
  • A posteriori: Based on experience and not universally and necessarily valid.
  • Analytic: Validity is guaranteed by the meaning of the terms.
  • Synthetic: Something new is affirmed that is not presented in the definition.
• What is the difference between analytic and synthetic propositions according to Kant?

  • Analytic propositions have their validity guaranteed by the terms' meanings, making them universally and necessarily valid.
  • Synthetic propositions, however, connect subject and predicate to affirm something new, which may require empirical evidence.
• What are the different types of propositions according to Kant, and how do they differ?

  • The types of propositions are:
  • Analytic a priori: Valid based on term meanings, such as "all triangles have three sides."
  • Synthetic a priori: Connections that transcend empirical observation, like "1+1=2."
  • Synthetic a posteriori: Empirically based connections, such as "the cat is on the mat."
  • Analytic a posteriori: Impossible, since analytic judgments are always universally valid.
• How does Kant distinguish between phenomena and noumena?

  • Phenomena represent the world as we perceive it, while noumena are the world itself, independent of our perception. Kant argues that we can never truly know the noumena, as our perception is always influenced by our mental categories.
• What is Kant's transcendental standpoint, and how does it overcome scepticism?

  • Kant's transcendental standpoint involves analysing the subject's ability to attain objective knowledge.
  • By understanding our cognitive limitations, we can better grasp how our perceptions shape our understanding of the world, allowing us to overcome scepticism.
• What is the transcendental aesthetic, and how does it help create order from chaotic stimuli?

  • The transcendental aesthetic addresses how our senses passively undergo sensation from chaotic stimuli.
  • To bring order, we actively structure these stimuli through time and space, creating a unified perception.
  • This step transforms passive sensory data into organized perceptions.
• What is the purpose of the transcendental analytic, and what categories are involved?

  • The transcendental analytic involves processing sense perceptions into objects of knowledge using 12 categories, grouped into four categories: Quality, Quantity, Relation, and Modality.
  • Knowledge is constructed by categorizing the features of perceived objects.
• What is the transcendental dialectic, and what are the three "transcendental ideas"?

  • The transcendental dialectic involves ordering objects of knowledge into larger groups, leading to three transcendental ideas: soul, world, and God.
  • These ideas function as organizing principles that structure a multitude of objects into a unified framework.
• Why does Kant consider metaphysics an impossible science?

  • Kant argues that traditional metaphysics, dealing with concepts like "I," "world," and "God," uses pure reason incorrectly and uncritically, leading to theoretical agnosticism.
  • This results from a transcendental illusion, making metaphysics an uncertain field.
• What are the key principles of Kantian ethics?

  • Kantian ethics are based on the "kingdom of ends," emphasizing that humans should be treated as ends, not means.
  • The categorical imperative asserts that ethical principles should be applied universally.
  • If a principle leads to undesirable outcomes when universally applied, it is considered unethical, like littering causing trash everywhere.