This week we look at the basic structure of Kant’s critical project, and in particular, the issue of “synthetic a priori” judgment.
Readings
- Preface (Second Edition), Bxii-xliv (Guyer & Wood, 106-124) & Introduction (Second Edition), B1-30 (Guyer & Wood, 136-52) to the Critique of Pure Reason
- (Recommended) Hogan, “Metaphysical Motives of Kant’s Analytic/Synthetic Distinction” (especially §§1-4)
- (Recommended) Van Cleve, “Necessity, Analyticity, and the A Priori”
- (Optional) SEP entry on Kant’s Philosophical Development
- Notes on the critical philosophy, transcendental idealism, and the “copernican turn”
- Handout
Questions
- What is the difference between an analytic and a synthetic judgment?
- What is the difference between a priori and a posteriori judgment?
- What is “cognition”?
- What problem does Kant think metaphysics faces?