Single Idea 5586

[catalogued under 1. Philosophy / E. Nature of Metaphysics / 2. Possibility of Metaphysics]

Full Idea

The voyage of our reason may proceed only as far as the continuous coastline of experience reaches.

Gist of Idea

The voyage of reason may go only as far as the coastline of experience reaches

Source

Immanuel Kant (Critique of Pure Reason [1781], B406-/A395)

Book Reference

Kant,Immanuel: 'Critique of Pure Reason', ed/tr. Guyer,P /Wood,A W [CUO 1998], p.439


A Reaction

This is a strikingly empiricist remark, coming from Kant. It is certainly a firm rejection of what we might call 'speculative metaphysics', but allows what Peter Strawson calls 'descriptive metaphysics'. Cf. Idea 3722.

Related Idea

Idea 3722 Metaphysics goes beyond the empirical, so doesn't need examples [Kant]