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Single Idea 5569

[from 'Critique of Pure Reason' by Immanuel Kant, in 12. Knowledge Sources / C. Rationalism / 1. Rationalism ]

Full Idea

Understanding and sensibility can determine an object only in combination; if we separate them, then we have intuitions without concepts, or concepts without intuitions, but in either case representations that we cannot relate to any determinate objects.

Clarification

'Intuitions' are provided by our 'sensibility'

Gist of Idea

We cannot represent objects unless we combine concepts with intuitions

Source

Immanuel Kant (Critique of Pure Reason [1781], B314/A258)

Book Reference

Kant,Immanuel: 'Critique of Pure Reason', ed/tr. Guyer,P /Wood,A W [CUO 1998], p.364


A Reaction

Although Kant seems to be rejecting the rationalist v empiricist debate, I take this to be evidence that Kant was a rationalist, because he thinks understanding cannot arise just from sensibility.