PHILOSOPHY - Kant: On Metaphysical Knowledge [HD]

Summary

In this video, Assistant Professor Scott Edgar explores Immanuel Kant's concept of synthetic a priori knowledge, central to his philosophy. Edgar explains the difference between a priori (knowledge not based on experience) and empirical knowledge, and between analytic (truths by definition) and synthetic judgments. He argues that metaphysical knowledge, like math, must be synthetic a priori, providing necessary and universal truths that extend beyond definitions.

Takeaways

• 🎓 Scott Edgar introduces the topic of Immanuel Kant's view on metaphysics and synthetic a priori knowledge.
• 🤔 The nature of philosophical knowledge is questioned, especially in metaphysics, where there seems to be a lack of consensus and progress.
• 📚 Kant's aim in 'The Critique of Pure Reason' was to define what kind of knowledge philosophical and metaphysical knowledge is.
• 🔍 Kant argues that metaphysical knowledge must be 'synthetic a priori knowledge', a concept central to his entire philosophy.
• 📈 The concept of synthetic a priori knowledge is based on the distinction between a priori and empirical knowledge, and between analytic and synthetic judgments.
• 🔬 Empirical knowledge comes from sensory experience, whereas a priori knowledge is independent of sensory experience.
• 📐 Analytic judgments are true by definition, with the predicate's concept contained within the subject's concept.
• 🌐 Synthetic judgments add new information to the subject's concept, which is not contained in it by definition.
• 🧩 All analytic judgments are a priori, and all empirical knowledge is synthetic, but Kant believed there was more.
• 🔑 Kant's key insight was the existence of synthetic a priori knowledge, exemplified by mathematical truths that are both necessary/universal and add new information.
• 🌌 For metaphysics to be meaningful, it must provide necessary, universal truths that extend beyond mere definitions, thus being synthetic a priori.

Q & A

What is the main concern of the German philosopher Immanuel Kant regarding metaphysics?

Kant was concerned with understanding what kind of knowledge philosophical knowledge is, and especially what kind of knowledge metaphysical knowledge is.

What is the significance of 'synthetic a priori knowledge' in Kant's philosophy?

The concept of synthetic a priori knowledge is central to Kant's entire philosophy. He considered it one of his most important philosophical discoveries, and much of his other philosophy depends on it.

What is the difference between empirical knowledge and a priori knowledge according to Kant?

Empirical knowledge comes from or is justified by appeal to the senses, such as everyday observations and scientific knowledge backed by experiments. A priori knowledge, on the other hand, is not justified by appeal to the senses, such as mathematical truths or definitions.

Why does Kant consider a priori knowledge to be necessary and universal?

Kant believes a priori knowledge to be necessary and universal because truths like 'seven plus five equals twelve' are not contingent or accidental; they are true without exception and in all circumstances.

What is the distinction between analytic judgments and synthetic judgments?

Analytic judgments are those where the predicate's concept is contained within the subject's concept, often true by definition. Synthetic judgments connect a new concept to the subject that wasn't already contained within it, adding new information.

Why are all analytic judgments considered a priori by Kant?

Analytic judgments are a priori because their truth is determined by the relationship between concepts, not by experience or the senses.

Why is all empirical knowledge considered synthetic by Kant?

Empirical knowledge is synthetic because it depends on experience and the senses, which means it involves more than just the definitions of the concepts it includes.

What is an example of synthetic a priori knowledge that Kant gives?

Kant's main example of synthetic a priori knowledge is mathematical knowledge, such as the fact that the interior angles of a triangle sum to 180 degrees.

Why does Kant believe that mathematical truths are both a priori and synthetic?

Mathematical truths are a priori because they are not justified by the senses and are necessary and universal. They are synthetic because they add new information beyond the definitions of the concepts involved, such as the concept of a triangle not implicitly containing the sum of its angles being 180 degrees.

What does Kant believe is the nature of metaphysical knowledge?

Kant believed that metaphysical knowledge should be necessary and universal, which makes it a priori. However, it should also genuinely extend our knowledge beyond definitional truths, making it synthetic.

Why is synthetic a priori knowledge essential for metaphysics according to Kant?

Kant thought that for philosophers to establish any metaphysical knowledge, it would have to be synthetic a priori because metaphysics aims to cover truths that are both necessary and universal while extending our knowledge beyond mere definitions.