Single Idea 18700

[catalogued under 13. Knowledge Criteria / D. Scepticism / 2. Types of Scepticism]

Full Idea

Cartesian scepticism agonises over whether our beliefs are true or false, whereas Kantian scepticism agonises over how it is even possible for beliefs to be true or false.

Gist of Idea

Cartesian scepticism doubts what is true; Kantian scepticism doubts that it is sayable

Source

Tim Button (The Limits of Reason [2013], 07.2)

Book Reference

Button,Tim: 'The Limits of Realism' [OUP 2013], p.56


A Reaction

Kant's question is, roughly, 'how can our thoughts succeed in being about the world?' Kantian scepticism is the more drastic, and looks vulnerable to a turning of the tables, but asking how Kantian worries can even be expressed.

Related Idea

Idea 577 Democritus says there is either no truth, or it is concealed from us [Democritus, by Aristotle]