On the possibility of transcendental philosophy

some construction and questions

Chattopadhyaya

pp. 25-48

in: Frank M. Kirkland, Chattopadhyaya (eds), Phenomenology: East and West, Berlin, Springer, 1993

Abstract

In this essay I shall address myself to a set of questions concerning different forms of transcendental philosophy (TP). Why has the possibility of different forms of TP been explored at all? Why have different forms of TP been justified or vindicated by various sorts of transcendental argument (TA)? I propose to look into the question: why have we yet to find a single TA which is good enough to vindicate different forms (or all forms) of TP? In a follow-up step I shall try to show that a singly universal form of TA cannot be coherently formulated. From this negative suggestion, finally, I shall try to show that the diversity of TP and the variety of TA are rooted in what may be called the interested or value-loaded character of cognitive enterprises and achievements, i.e., the ethics of epistemology.