Kant's Doctrine of Transcendental Illusion

This major study of Kant provides a detailed examination of the doctrine of transcendental illusion.

Michelle Grier (Author)

9780521663243, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 5 February 2001

330 pages
23.6 x 16.4 x 2.6 cm, 0.588 kg

This major study of Kant provides a detailed examination of the development and function of the doctrine of transcendental illusion in his theoretical philosophy. The author shows that a theory of 'illusion' plays a central role in Kant's arguments about metaphysical speculation and scientific theory. Indeed, she argues that we cannot understand Kant unless we take seriously his claim that the mind inevitably acts in accordance with ideas and principles that are 'illusory'. Taking this claim seriously, we can make much better sense of Kant's arguments and reach a deeper understanding of the role he allots human reason in science.

Acknowledgements
Note on references and translations
Introduction
Part I. Kant's Discovery of Metaphysical Illusion: 1. Metaphysical error in the pre-critical works
2. The Inaugural Dissertation
Part II. Fallacies and Illusions in the Critique of Pure Reason: 3. The transcendental employment of the understanding and the conflation of appearances and things in themselves
4. Transcendental illusion
Part III. The Dialectical Influences of Pure Reason: 5. Rational psychology and the pseudo-rational idea of the soul
6. Rational cosmology and the pseudo-empirical idea of the world
7. Rational theology and the pseudo-rational idea of God
Part IV. Illusion and Systematicity: 8. The regulative employment of reason
Conclusion
Selected bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: History of Western philosophy [HPC]