Kant 2. Gli scritti precritici (1755 - 1763)

Gabriella Giudici

3 Sept 201508:06

Summary

TLDRThe script discusses Immanuel Kant's early writings, known as pre-critical works, which span from 1746 to 1770. These works reflect Kant's gradual assimilation of the Italian scientific perspective and the Newtonian mechanical model of the universe. Kant's initial ideas on cosmology, including the hypothesis of a primitive nebula, are explored. The script also delves into Kant's rejection of divine punishment for natural disasters, his critique of rationalism, and his distinction between logical and real opposition. Kant's skepticism towards metaphysical arguments for God's existence and his emphasis on empirical evidence over metaphysical demonstrations are highlighted, showcasing his evolving philosophical stance.

Takeaways

📜 Kant's early writings, known as pre-critical writings, span from 1746 to 1770, reflecting his gradual assimilation of the Italian scientific perspective and the acceptance of a quantitative and mechanistic explanation of the cosmos.
🌌 Kant's work 'Universal Natural History and Theory of the Heavens' applies Newtonian physics to explain the origin of the universe and introduces the hypothesis of a primitive nebula, which Laplace would later independently propose.
🤔 Kant initially hypothesizes that the original nebula was created by God but later abandons this idea, focusing instead on the ethical arguments of practical reason to ensure morality, independent of the concept of a benevolent universe.
🏞️ In 1755, Kant published three essays on earthquakes, attributing them to magmatic forces within the Earth and rejecting the notion of divine punishment, showing his inclination towards a metaphysical perspective while prioritizing the method of knowledge.
🔍 Kant distinguishes between logical and real opposition, arguing that while logical opposition is based on the principle of non-contradiction, real opposition involves predicates that are opposed but not contradictory, such as two forces acting in opposite directions.
⚖️ In 1763, Kant critically examines the problem of causality, questioning the identification of the relationship between premise and consequence with the relationship between cause and effect, which was a fundamental dogma of rationalism.
📚 Kant's critique of Anselm of Canterbury's ontological argument for the existence of God in 'The Only Possible Argument in Support of a Demonstration of the Existence of God' challenges the idea that existence can be a predicate of perfection.
💡 Kant introduces the example of 100 thalers to illustrate the difference between thought and reality, arguing that the concept of something does not change whether the thing exists or not, thus existence is not a predicate of perfection.
🚫 Kant rejects the argument from the principle of sufficient reason as the only possible argument for proving God's existence, asserting that existence can only be posited through experience and not through demonstration.
🧐 Kant's exploration of the metaphysical realm, which deals with questions related to the soul, the world, and God, is characterized by his fascination with these topics, which he likens to a bottomless abyss or a dark, unfathomable ocean.

Q & A

What is the time span covered by Kant's pre-critical writings?
-Kant's pre-critical writings cover a time span from 1746 to 1770.
What significant perspective did Kant develop in 1770?
-In 1770, Kant developed the critical perspective, which is expressed in his works 'Critique of Pure Reason', 'Critique of Practical Reason', and 'Critique of Judgment'.
What scientific perspective influenced Kant's early reflections?
-Kant's early reflections were influenced by the gradual assimilation of the scientific perspective from Italy, particularly the quantitative and mechanistic explanation of the cosmos.
How did Kant apply Newtonian physics to explain the universe's origin?
-Kant applied Newtonian physics to explain the universe's origin by formulating the hypothesis of a primitive nebula, which was later independently developed by Laplace.
What was Kant's stance on the creation of the original nebula?
-Kant hypothesized that the original nebula was created by God but without any direct relation to God, differing from the classical argument of God's necessity.
What significant event in 1755 influenced Kant's writings on earthquakes?
-The earthquake that destroyed Lisbon in 1755 made the topic of earthquakes of burning actuality, leading Kant to write three essays on the subject, excluding divine punishment as a cause.
How did Kant approach the problem of causality in his 1763 writings?
-In 1763, Kant questioned the identification of the relationship between premise and consequence with the relationship between cause and effect, distinguishing between logical and real opposition.
What was Kant's critique of Anselm of Canterbury's ontological argument for God's existence?
-Kant critiqued Anselm's ontological argument by asserting that existence cannot be a part of the concept of a thing, as the concept remains the same whether the thing exists or not.
What is the 'single argument' for proving God's existence that Kant discusses in his 1763 writings?
-The 'single argument' for proving God's existence that Kant discusses is the principle of sufficient reason, which states that nothing happens without a cause.
How did Kant view the relationship between thought and being?
-Kant emphasized the distinction between the logical plane and the real plane, arguing that thought and being are distinct, and that existence is a position of a thing, its possibility of being an object of someone's experiences.
What did Kant declare his love for and compare to a 'bottomless pit'?
-Kant declared his love for metaphysics, comparing it to a bottomless pit, an ocean dark, boundless, and without a shore.

Outlines

00:00

📜 Early Works of Kant and His Critical Perspective

The first paragraph discusses Immanuel Kant's early writings, known as pre-critical writings, which span from 1746 to 1770. These works focus on physics, cosmology, and theology, reflecting Kant's gradual assimilation of the Italian scientific perspective and the acceptance of a quantitative and mechanistic model of the universe. Notably, Kant's 'Universal Natural History and Theory of the Heavens' applies Newtonian physics to explain the origin of the universe and proposes a primitive nebula hypothesis. The paragraph also touches on Kant's later rejection of the ontological proof of God's existence and his approach to the problem of causality, distinguishing between logical and real oppositions. Kant's critical and rationalist stance is highlighted through his critique of traditional metaphysical arguments and his emphasis on the importance of experience in understanding reality.

05:01

🧠 Kant's Critique of the Ontological Argument and the Principle of Sufficient Reason

The second paragraph delves into Kant's critique of the ontological argument for God's existence, particularly Anselm of Canterbury's argument that God's existence is a necessary attribute of a perfect being. Kant argues that existence cannot be a predicate of a concept, as the concept of something does not change whether the thing exists or not. He uses the example of 100 thalers to illustrate that thinking about money is different from possessing it, and thus existence is not a perfection that can be derived from the concept of a thing. Kant also discusses the principle of sufficient reason, which states that everything has a cause, and argues that the existence of God cannot be proven a priori but must be based on experience. This paragraph showcases Kant's deeper engagement with metaphysical questions concerning the soul, the world, and God, and his declaration of love for metaphysics, likening it to a boundless and mysterious ocean.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Pre-Critical Writings

The term 'Pre-Critical Writings' refers to the early works of Immanuel Kant, which span from 1746 to 1770. These writings are significant as they set the stage for Kant's later critical philosophy. In the video, these works are described as covering topics in physics, cosmology, and theology, reflecting Kant's gradual assimilation of the scientific perspective and the mechanistic view of the universe, which was influenced by the Italian scientific approach and Newtonian physics.

💡Quantitative and Mechanistic Model

This concept refers to a way of explaining phenomena through mathematical quantities and mechanical principles. In the context of the video, Kant's early works are noted to have accepted this model, particularly in his 'Universal Natural History and Theory of the Heavens,' where he applies Newtonian physics to explain the origin of the universe and proposes the hypothesis of a primitive nebula.

💡Critique of Pure Reason

The 'Critique of Pure Reason' is one of Kant's major works where he develops his critical philosophy. Although not directly mentioned in the script, it is implied as the mature expression of Kant's perspective that evolved from his pre-critical writings. The video discusses how Kant's early reflections led to the development of this critical approach, which questions the limits and sources of knowledge.

💡Metaphysical

Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy that deals with the first principles of things, including the nature of reality, identity, time, and space. In the video, Kant's early works are described as grappling with metaphysical questions, particularly regarding the nature of the universe and the existence of God. His later works, including the 'Critique of Pure Reason,' are seen as both engaging with and distancing from traditional metaphysical approaches.

💡Lisbon Earthquake

The Lisbon Earthquake of 1755 is mentioned in the video as a significant event that influenced Kant's writings on natural disasters. Kant published three essays on earthquakes, rejecting the idea of divine punishment for such events and instead attributing them to natural forces, such as magma in the Earth's cavities. This reflects Kant's shift towards a more scientific and less theocentric view of natural phenomena.

💡Causality

Causality is the relationship between cause and effect. In the video, Kant's writings from 1763 are highlighted, where he discusses the problem of causality and challenges the identification of the logical relationship between premises and conclusions with the causal relationship between cause and effect. This discussion is central to understanding Kant's philosophical stance on the nature of knowledge and reality.

💡Opposition Logical vs. Real

This concept distinguishes between logical opposition, which is based on the principle of non-contradiction, and real opposition, which involves two predicates that are opposed but not necessarily contradictory. The video uses the example of two forces acting in opposite directions to illustrate real opposition. This distinction is crucial for understanding Kant's critique of traditional rationalist views and his development of a more nuanced approach to the relationship between thought and being.

💡Dogmatism

Dogmatism in philosophy refers to the belief in the power of reason to know things absolutely, without empirical evidence. The video discusses how Kant's early writings are critical of dogmatism, particularly in the context of the existence of God and the nature of reality. Kant argues against the idea that because a concept is thinkable and non-contradictory, it must correspond to something real, thus distancing himself from dogmatic rationalism.

💡Critique of Rationalism

The critique of rationalism is a central theme in the video, where Kant is portrayed as challenging the rationalist belief that reason alone can provide certain knowledge of reality. Kant's approach emphasizes the importance of experience and the limits of pure reason, which is a key aspect of his critical philosophy.

💡Principle of Sufficient Reason

The Principle of Sufficient Reason is a philosophical principle that states that everything has a reason or cause for its existence. In the video, Kant is shown to initially engage with this principle as a potential argument for the existence of God. However, he later rejects it, arguing that existence cannot be derived from the concept of a thing alone and that the existence of God can only be justified through experience, not through a priori reasoning.

💡Metaphysics of Soul, World, and God

This concept refers to the metaphysical inquiries into the nature of the soul, the world as a whole, and God as the origin and foundation of nature. The video describes how Kant's early fascination with these metaphysical questions led him to develop his critical philosophy, which seeks to redefine the scope and limits of metaphysical knowledge.

Highlights

Kant's early writings, known as pre-critical writings, span from 1746 to 1770.

These works focus on physics, cosmology, and theology, reflecting Kant's gradual assimilation of the Italian scientific perspective and the quantitative-mechanistic model of the cosmos.

Kant's 'Universal Natural History and Theory of the Heavens' applies Newtonian physics to explain the origin of the universe and proposes the hypothesis of a primitive nebula.

Kant initially hypothesizes that the original nebula was created by God, but later he will reject this idea, maintaining no relation to God.

In 1755, Kant published three writings on earthquakes, rejecting the idea of divine punishment for natural disasters like the Lisbon earthquake.

Kant's approach to scientific problems as a philosopher emphasizes the method of knowledge over metaphysical considerations.

Kant distinguishes between logical and real opposition, challenging the rationalist view that a thinkable concept must correspond to reality.

In 1763, Kant discusses the problem of causality, questioning the identification of logical consequence with real cause and effect.

Kant critiques Anselm of Canterbury's ontological argument for the existence of God, arguing that existence cannot be a predicate of a concept.

Kant uses the example of 100 thalers to illustrate the difference between thought and reality, asserting that the concept of something does not change whether it exists or not.

Kant argues that the existence of God cannot be proven from the concept alone, as existence is not a predicate but a position or possibility of being an object of experience.

Kant's 'Only Possible Argument for the Existence of God' from 1763 challenges the traditional logical arguments for God's existence and emphasizes the necessity of experience.

Kant's writings delve into metaphysical issues such as the soul, the world as a whole, and God as the origin and foundation of nature.

Kant is deeply fascinated by metaphysics, comparing it to an abyss without bottom, an ocean dark, deep, and boundless.

Kant's early works set the stage for his later critical philosophy, where he further refines his thoughts on the relationship between thought and being.

The development of Kant's thought reflects a critical engagement with both scientific and metaphysical questions of his time.

Kant's approach to knowledge and existence foreshadows his later distinction between phenomena and noumena in his critical works.