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Single Idea 8739

[from 'Critique of Pure Reason' by Immanuel Kant, in 6. Mathematics / A. Nature of Mathematics / 2. Geometry ]

Full Idea

For Kant, geometry studies the forms of perception in the sense that it describes the infinite space that conditions perceived objects. This Euclidean space provides the forms of perception, or, in Kantian terms, the a priori form of empirical intuition.

Gist of Idea

Geometry studies the Euclidean space that dictates how we perceive things

Source

report of Immanuel Kant (Critique of Pure Reason [1781]) by Stewart Shapiro - Thinking About Mathematics 4.2

Book Reference

Shapiro,Stewart: 'Thinking About Mathematics' [OUP 2000], p.88


A Reaction

We shouldn't assume that the discovery of new geometries nullifies this view. We evolved in small areas of space, where it is pretty much Euclidean. We don't perceive the curvature of space.