back to ideas for this text


Single Idea 17617

[from 'Critique of Pure Reason' by Immanuel Kant, in 6. Mathematics / C. Sources of Mathematics / 4. Mathematical Empiricism / a. Mathematical empiricism ]

Full Idea

Although all these principles .....are generated in the mind completely a priori, they would still not signify anything at all if we could not always exhibit their significance in appearances (empirical objects).

Gist of Idea

Maths is a priori, but without its relation to empirical objects it is meaningless

Source

Immanuel Kant (Critique of Pure Reason [1781], B299/A240)

Book Reference

Kant,Immanuel: 'Critique of Pure Reason', ed/tr. Guyer,P /Wood,A W [CUO 1998], p.341


A Reaction

This is the subtle Kantian move that we all have to take seriously when we try to assert 'realism' about anything. Our drive for meaning creates our world for us?