Kant's conception of proper science

Hein V. den Berg

pp. 7-26

in: Arianna Betti, Willem de Jong, Marije Martijn (eds), The classical model of science II, Synthese 183 (1), 2011.

Abstract

Kant is well known for his restrictive conception of proper science. In the present paper I will try to explain why Kant adopted this conception. I will identify three core conditions which Kant thinks a proper science must satisfy: systematicity, objective grounding, and apodictic certainty. These conditions conform to conditions codified in the Classical Model of Science. Kant’s infamous claim that any proper natural science must be mathematical should be understood on the basis of these conditions. In order to substantiate this reading, I will show that only in this way it can be explained why Kant thought (1) that mathematics has a particular foundational function with respect to the natural sciences and (2) as such secures their scientific status.

Cited authors

Kant Immanuel