back to ideas for this text


Single Idea 5554

[from 'Critique of Pure Reason' by Immanuel Kant, in 7. Existence / E. Categories / 1. Categories ]

Full Idea

If one proposed a middle way, that categories are subjective predispositions for thinking, implanted in us so that their use would agree exactly with the laws of nature,..then the categories would lack the necessity which is essential to their concept.

Gist of Idea

Categories are necessary, so can't be implanted in us to agree with natural laws

Source

Immanuel Kant (Critique of Pure Reason [1781], B167)

Book Reference

Kant,Immanuel: 'Critique of Pure Reason', ed/tr. Guyer,P /Wood,A W [CUO 1998], p.265


A Reaction

Kant might want to rethink this once he got the hang of the theory of evolution. If we have innate categories, they must have some survival value. I don't understand Kant's claim that the categories are necessary. They just reflect nature.