back to ideas for this text


Single Idea 19669

[from 'Critique of Pure Reason' by Immanuel Kant, in 26. Natural Theory / D. Laws of Nature / 8. Scientific Essentialism / b. Scientific necessity ]

Full Idea

Kant considers the hypothesis of the contingency of the laws of nature to be refuted by the mere fact of representation. ...If representation were no longer structured by causality, it would no longer structure any aspect of the phenomenon at all.

Gist of Idea

For Kant the laws must be necessary, because contingency would destroy representation

Source

report of Immanuel Kant (Critique of Pure Reason [1781]) by Quentin Meillassoux - After Finitude; the necessity of contingency 4

Book Reference

Meillassoux: 'After Finitude: the necessity of contingency', ed/tr. Brassier,R [Bloomsbury 2008], p.89


A Reaction

This is based on the belief that a contingent nature would continually change, which Meillassoux denies.

Related Idea

Idea 19660 Possible non-being which must be realised is 'precariousness'; absolute contingency might never not-be [Meillassoux]