Post on 21-Dec-2015
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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?