Immanuel Kant’s Critique of Pure Reason - 1379 Words

The Transcendental Deductions of the pure concept of the understanding in Immanuel Kant’s Critique of Pure Reason, in its most general sense, explains how concepts relate a priori to objects in virtue of the fact that the power of knowing an object through representations is known as understanding. According to Kant, the foundation of all knowledge is the self, our own consciousness because without the self, experience is not possible. The purpose of this essay is to lay out Kant’s deduction of the pure concept of understanding and show how our concepts are not just empirical, but concepts a priori. We will walk through Kant’s argument and reasoning as he uncovers each layer of understanding, eventually leading up to the conclusion†¦show more content†¦In order for us to have knowledge, these concepts a priori have to be united, synthesized. Therefore, in general, we need two concepts for knowledge; synthesis and receptivity. Synthesis, as mentioned abo ve, is when we use the data we obtained from senses and unite it together with intuition and receptivity, as defined by Kant â€Å"can make knowledge possible only when joined with spontaneity† (52). This spontaneity arises from the threefold synthesis which he lays out for us in the rest of the deduction; the synthesis of apprehension, the synthesis of reproduction, and the synthesis of recognition. In the first part of the threefold synthesis, Kant discusses the role of unity of intuitions. Intuition, as defined before, is a way through which knowledge is formed about the object and through which we think of the object. Thus, all representations of the object as Kant points out are subject to time and each representation, for single moment, can never be anything without absolute unity. Through this idea, the term synthesis of apprehension is refers to the idea that intuition, although offer something manifold, cannot be enough without synthesis as the intuition is containe d in one representation. Simply stated, it is through the intuition, which contains a manifold, and this manifold cannot be derived with a single representation. Kant’s argument in this part ofShow MoreRelatedCritique Of Kant1376 Words   |  6 PagesDefining Kant’s Critique of Pure Reason and its Relation to the Science of Metaphysics The understanding itself, in regard to representations and objects, is the paramount focus of Immanuel Kant’s (1724-1804), Critique of Pure Reason (1781/1787). Although there is a manifold of philosophical definitions of what the critique of pure reason is defined as, this essay will assist in alleviating the flux that occurs when comprehending the meaning of Kant’s, Critique of Pure Reason. After reading mostRead MoreKant : The Father Of Enlightenment1071 Words   |  5 PagesEnlightenment The 18th Century is referred to as the Age of Reason or Enlightenment as it was during this period that reason and individualism was advocated as a means of power. Science and reason were revolutionizing society by challenging the facts deeply rooted in tradition. This new rational way of thinking used logic to arrive at conclusions. Immanuel Kant, a German philosopher, was one of the primary figures of this era that cultivated reason and whose works have revolutionized modern philosophyRead MoreThird Breaking Down His Most Important Philosophies1097 Words   |  5 Pageshe came up with such ideas. B. Provide example/ apply to life: 1. Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals 2. Metaphysical Foundations of Natural Science 3. Critique of Practical Reason 4. Critique of the Power of Judgment 5. Critique of Pure Reason a. Knowledge b. 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