Kant and the Problematic Concept of the Thing in Itself Cover Image

Kant a problematický pojem věci o sobě
Kant and the Problematic Concept of the Thing in Itself

Author(s): Jiří Chotaš
Subject(s): Philosophy, History of Philosophy, Metaphysics, Epistemology, German Idealism, Philosophy of Mind, 18th Century, Ontology
Published by: Univerzita Karlova v Praze, Nakladatelství Karolinum
Keywords: Immanuel Kant; phenomena and noumena; empirical affection; Kant’s critical philosophy

Summary/Abstract: The paper discusses Kant’s distinction between appearances and things in themselves, phenomena and noumena, and the problem of affection. The difference between appearances and things in themselves is understood as a methodological difference between two manners in which an object can be viewed: either as an appearance, or as a thing in itself. The author claims that this double-aspect view is a consequence of Kant’s conception of space and time as a priori forms of sensibility. The difference between phenomena and noumena, on the other hand, cannot be explained only by the double-aspect view; Kant understands it also as an ontological difference between two different kinds of objects. The paper concludes with a discussion of the problem of affection. The author claims that this problem is a pseudo-problem if we understand the difference between appearances and things in themselves as double-aspect view. Kant had maintained only an empirical affection. Passages in which Kant seems to advocate a transcendental affection can be brought in line with Kant’s critical philosophy.

  • Issue Year: 2024
  • Issue No: 66-67
  • Page Range: 41-61
  • Page Count: 21
  • Language: Czech
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