Kant''s Late Philosophy of Nature - The Opus Postumum

Kant's final drafts, known as his Opus postumum, attempt to make what he calls a 'transition from the metaphysical foundations of natural science to physics.' Interpreters broadly agree that in this project Kant seeks to connect the general a priori principles of natural science, as set out in the major critical works, to the specific results of empirical physics. Beyond this, however, basic interpretative issues remain controversial. This Element outlines a framework that aims to combine the systematic ambition of early twentieth-century readings with the rigor of more recent studies. The author argues that a question that has animated much recent scholarship ¿ which 'gap' in Kant's previous philosophy does the Opus postumum seek to fill? ¿ can be profitably set aside. In its place, renewed attention should be given to a crucial part of the manuscript, fascicles X/XI, and to the problematic 'arrival point' of the transition, namely, Kant's question: What is physics?

List of contents

1. Introduction; 2. A Sketch of the Reception History; 3. 'Gap' or Transition Problem?; 4. The Form of the Transition Problem; 5. What is Physics?; 6. Conclusion; Appendix: How to Read the Opus postumum; References.

Summary

This Element outlines a framework that aims to combine the systematic ambition of early twentieth-century readings of Kant's Opus postumum with the rigour of more recent studies.

Foreword

This Element explains how Kant newly conceives of physics in his last, unfinished manuscript.

Product details

• Authors: Stephen Howard, Stephen (Ku Leuven Howard, Howard Stephen
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press ELT
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 31.03.2023
• EAN: 9781009013765
• ISBN: 978-1-0-0901376-5
• No. of pages: 75
• Series: Elements in the Philosophy of Immanuel Kant
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Philosophy; Non-fiction book > Philosophy, religion > Philosophy: general, reference works; PHILOSOPHY / General, Philosophy of Science, Philosophy: metaphysics and ontology, Western philosophy from c 1800, History of Western philosophy, Western philosophy: Enlightenment