Theory of Kant's Knowledge - Material to the Report

Emmanuel Kant is a great German philosopher of the 18th and 19th centuries, the founder of German classical philosophy. Without the teachings of Kant, it would be unthinkable to develop the whole of world philosophy from the 18th century onwards - up to the present day.

The basic concepts of Kant's world view are set forth in his two fundamental theories: epistemology (the theory of knowledge) and ethics (the theory of morality).

Theory of knowledge - basic principles

The main work in which the foundations of Kant's philosophy are concentrated is the "Critique of Pure Reason."

The aim of the work is to analyze the theoretical concept, which will later be called subjective dialectics. In it, the philosopher examines the phenomenon of mind.

Kant's theory of knowledge says that human activity in its basic form is represented by knowledge. This fundamental phenomenon is connected with the possibility of an individual person to identify with the whole of mankind. In knowledge, a person gains the potency of his existence, endowed with unlimited possibilities.

The emerging personality learns human experience, and therefore, is also related to knowledge.

Kant introduces the concepts of the object and subject of knowledge. They enter into a relationship of dialectical opposition, which is a contradiction of knowledge. The source and the leading source in this dialectical pair is precisely the subject of cognition. He introduces the object into the relation of subordination and is able to translate the energy essence of the object directly into his.

What structure does the subject of cognition have?

In the answer to this question Kant's theory of knowledge distinguishes two levels: psychological and pre-experienced.

• By psychological level, the following is implied. The sense organs exist in an ever-changing quality, in accordance with which their tasks take place in the form of curiosity, sensitivity, etc.
• Under the pre-experienced level (transcendental, innate) is understood the existence of primary inclinations, allowing one to feel, for example, time and space, home, etc.

The most important questions of knowledge:

- what are its stages or stages;

- what are its criteria.

Kant identifies three stages of cognition:

1. Sensual;
2. Rational;
3. Reasonable.

Practical activity in the transformation of the mind is the criterion of cognition. A reasonable person creates new ideal objects, concepts and ideas. Criticality is characterized by ideas that are developed and led by all of humanity, for example, the idea of God.

Outside of ideas, knowledge is impossible, there simply does not exist.

Thus, the theory of knowledge of Kant for the first time in world philosophy raises the question of what are the boundaries of knowledge.

Despite the limitations of epistemology, reality, according to Kant, can be learned in the fullness of reason. This is true for objects created by the person himself, ie. For the world of ideas. The most fundamental, great ideas personify the mind of mankind, they are the essence, source and foundation of faith (for example, the idea of God).

Kant's theory of knowledge for such objects introduces the concept of "things for us", contrasting it with "things in themselves." The latter belong to the world lying on the other side of ideas. He is opposed to man, this is the very embodiment of the unknown. Kant argues that there is not and can not be any transition between the "thing-in-itself" and the "thing for us". They are initially and forever isolated from each other.

Moral Theory - Basic Provisions

The oldest philosophical discipline - ethics - studies morality and morality. It can be argued that the ethical teachings of Kant in the philosophy of modern times represent the apex of critical ethics.

Theoretical philosophy, as is known, is occupied with solving questions about the existence of truth and scientific knowledge.

In turn, practical philosophy, to which Kant's doctrine of ethics should be attributed, considers the problem of the relationship between the moral law and real freedom.

Kant's work "Criticism of Judgment" is dedicated to elucidating this problem.

Kant's theory speaks of the unity of the critical philosophical doctrine and ethical philosophy. This unity is revealed due to the fundamental position of man in the universe. It is this position, as well as human behavior, capable of pushing the boundaries of knowledge, the essence, are one.

Morality should not be seen as a tool for obtaining any results. In it, the subject himself realizes the necessary need for certain actions and forces himself to these actions.

Morality is autonomous, "says Kant. People who claim freedom are creators of their own morality. The laws of moral action they create for themselves.

Humane behavior is measured by the attitude to the imperative: the moral law must be respected. This is the main statement of Kant's ethics. The expression of respect can only be a phenomenon of personality, since such respect is a priori feeling. Realizing it, the person in an identical way realizes a law-consistent duty and acts in the character of the necessary-universal.

The moral principle differs significantly from the religious one. Recognizing that thanks to God, happiness and duty coincide (not in this world), Kant emphasizes, however, that the sense of the moral is in no way connected with faith, its main sign is autonomy, and it is born of itself.

Moral phenomena indicate the fact of absolute internal human self-worth. Cognitive attitude does not keep them within its borders. The theoretical mind is incompetent in them.

The theory of knowledge and ethics of Kant - the greatest achievements of world philosophy. The whole history of culture of the subsequent centuries is based in one way or another on Kantian grounds.