Kant & Metaphysics Essay Examples
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Truth
In this essay I will present the view that the minimalist conception of truth is the most accurate and unproblematic of the theories I have come across. In order to display this, in section one I will present the most intuitive of the theories of truth, the Correspondence Theory, before arguing against it in section two. In my third section I will demonstrate how Correspondence Theory evolved into the Coherence Theory of Truth. In my fourth section I will argue that this thesis is also flawed, before presenting, in section five, the Minimalist Theory. I will discuss this in detail, in so doing proposing several problems for it and arguing that it overcomes these. In my final section I will present a criticism designed to show the theory to be inherently flawed, before arguing that this criticism fails and minimalism survives.
1. Correspondence Theories
The most intuitive definition of truth is the correspondence theory. This is a theory that "takes the truth of a proposition to consist … in its relation to the world, its correspondence to the facts." For example, the proposition that "Snow is white" is made true by the correspondence of the proposition "Snow is white" to the fact that snow is white. Thus, truth is a relation between propositions and states of affairs obtaining in the world.[…]
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Colour
In this essay I will present the view that there exists a real distinction between properties such as colour, sound and temperature - as we perceive them - and properties such as shape, size and motion. I will also present the view that properties of the former class type may be reduced to properties of the second class type. In order to do this I will be focussing upon the properties of colour and shape. In section one I will set out the distinction between the two types of properties or qualities. In section two I will examine the ontological implication of such a distinction. My third section presents a more detailed theory of colour - the physicalist theory - and introduces the notion of reducing secondary qualities - such as colour - to primary qualities - such as shape. In section four I examine some difficulties facing this doctrine before discarding these criticisms and the attempted reformulations of the physicalist theory and returning to accept the original theory in my final section
1. Locke's Distinction - Primary and Secondary Qualities
Locke presents the theory that the qualities we perceive objects to have can be divided into two distinct categories. The "primary qualities" are "solidity, figure, motion or rest and number" . "Secondary qualities are colour, temperature, smell, taste and sound. Locke argued that the distinction between these two sets of qualities is clear and well founded. Primary qualities are presented as "utterly inseparable from the body, in what state […]
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Discuss Kant's Second Analogy of Experience
In this essay I will argue that Kant's second analogy of experience is successful in establishing the principle of causality. In order to do this I will begin, in section one, by introducing the analogy in the context of the first analogy of experience. In my second section I present Schopenhauer's criticism of the analogy as it stands. By dispensing of this I aim to provide a better analysis of Kant's argument and thus allow us to demonstrate how Kant is able to successfully posit the principle of causality from premises apparently agreeable even to the Humean.
1. The Second Analogy of Experience
The first analogy of experience has shown that "all appearances of succession in time are one and all only alterations" More precisely, Kant has demonstrated all change of appearances is simply an alteration of substance, which endures throughout the change. The second analogy of experience aims to establish the principle of causality, stating, "all alterations take place in conformity with the law of the connection of cause and effect." Kemp Smith asserts that this section of Kant's work contains "one of the most important and fundamental arguments of the entire critique." Indeed, Kant's assertions here contradict Hume, who claims that we cannot derive any causal principle from analytic considerations because no hint of necessity is found through the […]
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Discuss Kant's claim that the antinomies are a refutation of transcendental realism.
In this essay I will argue that Kant is correct in his claim that the antimonies are a refutation of transcendental realism. In order to do this, I will begin, in section one, by introducing transcendental realism. In section two I briefly analyse its rival theory, transcendental idealism in order to explore the differences between the two theses and thus arrive at a more complete understanding of transcendental realism. My third section discusses the role of the antimonies - I here demonstrate how Kant attempts to use them in his refutation of transcendental realism. Section four introduces criticism of the antimonies apparent success in the role Kant sets out for them. I argue against these in order to conclude that Kant's claim is, in fact, correct.
1. Transcendental Realism
In order to discuss Kant's claim that the antinomies are a refutation of transcendental realism, we must first begin by exploring the nature of transcendental realism. Kant proposes that transcendental realism "regards space and time as something given in themselves, which exist independently of our sensibility." That is, the transcendental realist holds that appearances exist "independently of us and of our sensibility, and which are therefore outside us" . Therefore, this is the doctrine that appearances are[…]
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