PHL3390

History of philosophy: Kant

Proposed to be offered next in 1999

Rae Langton

8 points
* 2 hours per week
* First semester
* Clayton
* Prerequisites: PHL2110 and another second-year level philosophy subject, except with permission of head

Objectives On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to understand some of the most important parts of the Critique of pure reason; give an account of transcendental idealism; and critically explain Kant's arguments on such topics as space, causation and substance. They should also achieve an understanding of the historical background to Kant's philosophy, and how Kant attempts to present a response to scepticism.

Synopsis How is knowledge possible? Kant thought that our inability to answer this simple question was the great `scandal of philosophy,' and he set about eliminating that scandal in his Critique of pure reason. Many have thought that Kant's own solution turned out to be more scandalous than the problem he set out to solve. His solution is that we can know the world just because we make the world: the world's structure and order is something we ourselves introduce. The first part of the subject will be devoted to the first sections of the Critique of pure reason, the `Transcendental aesthetic' and the `Transcendental analytic,' where Kant argues for his positive proposal, transcendental idealism. The second part of the subject will be devoted to the latter part of the critique, the `Transcendental dialectic'. Here Kant turns his attention to some problems that have traditionally hounded human thought. He sets out to show that transcendental idealism will supply us with both diagnosis and cure for these philosophical ills.

Assessment Two essays (3000 words each): 50% each
* One essay may optionally be replaced by a 3-hour examination

Prescribed texts

Kant I (tr. Kemp Smith) Critique of pure reason Macmillan