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Single Idea 21438

[from 'Critique of Pure Reason' by Immanuel Kant, in 1. Philosophy / E. Nature of Metaphysics / 2. Possibility of Metaphysics ]

Full Idea

Up to now it has been assumed that all our cognition must conform to the objects; ...let us try whether we do not get farther with problems of metaphysics by assuming that the objects must conform to cognition.

Gist of Idea

Metaphysics might do better to match objects to our cognition (and not start with the objects)

Source

Immanuel Kant (Critique of Pure Reason [1781], B Pref xvi)

Book Reference

Kant,Immanuel: 'Critique of Pure Reason', ed/tr. Guyer,P /Wood,A W [CUO 1998], p.110


A Reaction

Kant compares this to rethinking our viewpoint on the solar system, and Gardner calls this idea Kant's 'Copernican Revolution'. We can only applaud the idea that we should be more self-conscious when we assess reality. Just don't give up on reality!