Kant on the Sources of Metaphysics
The Dialectic of Pure Reason

Detailed exploration of the Transcendental Dialectic, in which Kant uncovers the sources of metaphysics in human reason.

Marcus Willaschek (Author)

9781108460064, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 26 March 2020

310 pages
22.8 x 15.3 x 1.7 cm, 0.45 kg

'Marcus Willaschek's new book is a penetrating analysis of the Transcendental Dialectic of Kant's Critique of Pure Reason that should set the standard for further work on the subject for years to come.' Paul Guyer, Kantian Review

In the Critique of Pure Reason, Kant famously criticizes traditional metaphysics and its proofs of immortality, free will and God's existence. What is often overlooked is that Kant also explains why rational beings must ask metaphysical questions about 'unconditioned' objects such as souls, uncaused causes or God, and why answers to these questions will appear rationally compelling to them. In this book, Marcus Willaschek reconstructs and defends Kant's account of the rational sources of metaphysics. After carefully explaining Kant's conceptions of reason and metaphysics, he offers detailed interpretations of the relevant passages from the Critique of Pure Reason (in particular, the 'Transcendental Dialectic') in which Kant explains why reason seeks 'the unconditioned'. Willaschek offers a novel interpretation of the Transcendental Dialectic, pointing up its 'positive' side, while at the same time it uncovers a highly original account of metaphysical thinking that will be relevant to contemporary philosophical debates.

Introduction
Part I. From Reason to Metaphysics: 1. Kant's conceptions of reason and metaphysics
2. The logical use of reason and the logical maxim
3. The supreme principle of pure reason
4. Understanding the transition passage (A307–8/B364)
5. The transition from the logical maxim to the supreme principle of pure reason
Conclusion to Part I
Part II. The Other Side of the Transcendental Dialectic: 6. The system of transcendental ideas
7. The paralogisms and antinomy arguments as 'necessary inferences of reason'
8. Reason and metaphysics in the transcendental ideal and the appendix
9. Transcendental realism and Kant's critique of speculative metaphysics
Conclusion to Part II.

Subject Areas: Philosophy: metaphysics & ontology [HPJ], Philosophy [HP]