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

2. 2Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Problem of Metaphysics 3. The Critical Method 4. The Fundamental Problem of Reason

3. 3Introduction Kant’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

4. 4Introduction Kant’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

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

6. 6 The Problem of Metaphysics Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana  Kant’s main question: Is metaphysics possible as a science? 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?

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

8. 8 The Critical Method 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 reason Kant: the tribunal of reason Effects: - Negative effect: use of reason forbidden beyond the realm of experience - Positive effect: leaves room for faith

9. 9 The Critical Method The 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

10. 10 The Critical Method Objectivity 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

11. 11 The Critical Method Conclusion 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.

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

13. 13 From 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 Synthetic Types of truths: tautological or not Hume and the empiricists: A priori = Analytic

14. 14 Kant and A priori Synthetic Judgments 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

15. 15 The Fundamental Problem of Reason 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?