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Single Idea 9345

[from 'Critique of Pure Reason' by Immanuel Kant, in 12. Knowledge Sources / A. A Priori Knowledge / 4. A Priori as Necessities ]

Full Idea

If a proposition is thought along with its necessity, it is an a priori judgement; if it is, moreover, also not derived from any proposition except one that in turn is valid as a necessary proposition, then it is absolutely a priori.

Gist of Idea

Propositions involving necessity are a priori, and pure a priori if they only derive from other necessities

Source

Immanuel Kant (Critique of Pure Reason [1781], B003)

Book Reference

Kant,Immanuel: 'Critique of Pure Reason', ed/tr. Guyer,P /Wood,A W [CUO 1998], p.137


A Reaction

The misunderstanding behind this is that we can obtain certainty in this way. I presume that consistency with empirical experience would increase our certainty of (say) maths or logic. There is no 'pure' a priori, delivering 'pure' necessity.