Kant on the Sources of Metaphysics

Description

In the 'Critique of Pure Reason', Kant famously criticizes traditional metaphysics and its proofs of immortality, free will and God's existence. What is often overlooked is that Kant also explains why rational beings must ask metaphysical questions about 'unconditioned' objects such as souls, uncaused causes or God, and why answers to these questions will appear rationally compelling to them. In this book Marcus Willaschek reconstructs and defends Kant's account of the rational sources of metaphysics. After carefully explaining Kant's conceptions of reason and metaphysics, he offers detailed interpretations of the relevant passages from the Critique of Pure Reason (in particular, the 'Transcendental Dialectic') in which Kant explains why reason seeks 'the unconditioned'. His book offers a novel interpretation of the Transcendental Dialectic, pointing up its 'positive' side, while at the same time it uncovers a highly original account of metaphysical thinking that will be relevant to contemporary philosophical debates.

Subjects

Other Editions

• Kant on the Sources of Metaphysics: The Dialectic of Pure ReasonCambridge University Press2018-01-01
• Kant on the Sources of MetaphysicsCambridge University Press1900-01-01
• Kant on the Sources of MetaphysicsCambridge University Press2018-01-01
• Kant on the Sources of MetaphysicsUniversity of Cambridge ESOL Examinations2020-01-01