Single Idea 5404

[catalogued under 12. Knowledge Sources / A. A Priori Knowledge / 4. A Priori as Necessities]

Full Idea

Two physical objects and two other physical objects must make four physical objects, even if physical objects cannot be experienced, so Kant's solution unduly limits the scope of a priori propositions.

Gist of Idea

Two plus two objects make four objects even if experience is impossible, so Kant is wrong

Source

comment on Immanuel Kant (Critique of Pure Reason [1781]) by Bertrand Russell - Problems of Philosophy Ch.8

Book Reference

Russell,Bertrand: 'The Problems of Philosophy' [OUP 1995], p.49


A Reaction

The point seems good, though it is doubtful whether Russell is entitled to be so confident. If the basis of a priori certainty is pushed outside the mind, our ontology becomes dramatically more complicated.