Kant's Late Philosophy of Nature: The Opus postumum

Description

Kant's final drafts, known as his Opus postumum, revolve around the attempt to make a 'transition from the metaphysical foundations of natural science to physics.' Interpreters broadly agree that in this project Kant seeks to connect the general a priori principles of natural science, as set out in the major critical works, to the specific results of empirical physics. Beyond this, however, basic interpretative issues remain controversial. This Element outlines a framework that aims to combine the systematic ambition of early twentieth-century readings with the rigour of more recent studies. The author argues that the issue of the 'gap' that has animated much recent scholarship can be profitably set aside. In its place, they advocate renewed attention to what they claim is a crucial part of the manuscript, fascicles X/XI, and to the problematic 'arrival point' of the transition, namely Kant's question: what is physics? Cover Title page Copyright page Kant’s Late Philosophy of Nature Contents 1 Introduction 2 A Sketch of the Reception History 3 ‘Gap’ or Transition Problem? 3.1 The Question of the Gap 3.2 ‘Transition’ in Kant’s Writings of 1781–1796 3.3 ‘Transition’ in the Opus postumum 3.4 The Relation between the Gap and the Transition 4 The Form of the Transition Problem 4.1 Stable Form, Shifting Content 4.2 The Elements of the Transition Problem 5 What Is Physics? 5.1 The Arrival Point of the Transition 5.2 Prevailing Views on the Conception of Physics in the Opus postumum 5.3 What Is Physics? Initial Explorations 5.4 Elementary System 5.5 Doctrinal and Elementary Systems in Fascicles X/XI 5.6 Physics as Physiology 5.7 Subjective Forces 5.8 Anticipation Quoad Materiale or Forma Dat Esse Rei? 5.9 Fascicles X/XI and Fascicle I: Understanding and Reason 6 Conclusion Appendix How to Read the Opus postumum A.1 Kant’s Writing Process A.2 Phases and Dates A.3 Editions of the Opus postumum References Kant Secondary and Other Sources Acknowledgements