Single Idea 16914

[catalogued under 12. Knowledge Sources / A. A Priori Knowledge / 10. A Priori as Subjective]

Full Idea

The only way for my intuition to precede the reality of the object and take place as knowledge a priori is if it contains nothing else than the form of sensibility which in me as subject precedes all real impressions through which I'm affected by objects.

Gist of Idea

A priori intuition of objects is only possible by containing the form of my sensibility

Source

Immanuel Kant (Prolegomena to Any Future Metaphysic [1781], 283)

Book Reference

Kant,Immanuel: 'Prolegomena to Any Future Metaphysic', ed/tr. Lucas,Peter G. [Manchester UP 1971], p.38


A Reaction

This may be the single most famous idea in Kant. I'm not really a Kantian, but this is a powerful idea, the culmination of Descartes' proposal to start philosophy by looking at ourselves. No subsequent thinking can ignore the idea.