Article ID: CBB852089833

C. I. Lewis, Kant, and the Reflective Method of Philosophy (2019)

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If it seems unquestionable that C. I. Lewis is a Kantian in important respects, it is more difficult to determine what, if anything, is original about his Kantianism. For it might be argued that Lewis’ Kantianism simply reflects an approach to the a priori which was very common in the first half of the twentieth century, namely, the effort to make the a priori relative. In this paper, I will argue that Lewis’ Kantianism does present original features. The latter can be detected by focusing on Lewis’ account of the method of philosophy in the first chapter of Mind and the World Order. In that context, Lewis argues that the method of philosophy should be reflective and critical. It will be my contention that this understanding of philosophy involves a therapeutic perspective, which bears important resemblances to Kant’s account of transcendental reflection in the Amphiboly of the Critique of Pure Reason. I will illustrate how this therapeutic application of reflection works in Lewis’ metaphysics. In this context, reflection can correct errors of reasoning that occur when we are operating within a particular conceptual scheme and use the criteria of reality that are appropriate in another.

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Article Gabriele Gava (2019) What is Kant Good for? Making Sense of the Diversity in the Reception of Kant's Philosophical Method. British Journal for the History of Philosophy (pp. 243-254). unapi

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Authors & Contributors
Friedman, Michael L.
Goy, Ina
Boer, Karin de
Callanan, John J.
Forrester, Stefan
Howard, Stephen
Concepts
Philosophy
Metaphysics
Methodology
Philosophy of science
Natural philosophy
Mathematics
Time Periods
18th century
20th century, early
20th century
17th century
Enlightenment
19th century
Places
England
Germany
France
Europe
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