Single Idea 19657

[catalogued under 1. Philosophy / B. History of Ideas / 6. Twentieth Century Thought]

Full Idea

The major shift that has occurred in the conception of thought from Kant's time to ours is from the unknowability of the thing-in-itself to its unthinkability.

Gist of Idea

In Kant the thing-in-itself is unknowable, but for us it has become unthinkable

Source

Quentin Meillassoux (After Finitude; the necessity of contingency [2006], 2)

Book Reference

Meillassoux: 'After Finitude: the necessity of contingency', ed/tr. Brassier,R [Bloomsbury 2008], p.44


A Reaction

Meillassoux is making the case that philosophy is alienating us more and more from the triumphant realism of the scientific revolution. He says thinking has split from being. He's right. Modern American pragmatists are the worst (not Peirce!).