The Critique of Pure Reason (1781, Riga; second edition 1787) is a book by Immanuel Kant that has exerted an enduring influence on Western philosophy. Also referred to as Kant's First Critique, it was followed by the Critique of Practical Reason (1788) and the Critique of Judgment (1790). In the preface to the first edition Kant explains that by a critique of pure reason he means not "a critique of books and systems, but of the faculty of reason in general, in respect of all knowledge after which it may strive independently ...
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The Critique of Pure Reason (1781, Riga; second edition 1787) is a book by Immanuel Kant that has exerted an enduring influence on Western philosophy. Also referred to as Kant's First Critique, it was followed by the Critique of Practical Reason (1788) and the Critique of Judgment (1790). In the preface to the first edition Kant explains that by a critique of pure reason he means not "a critique of books and systems, but of the faculty of reason in general, in respect of all knowledge after which it may strive independently of all experience" and that he aims to reach a decision about "the possibility or impossibility of metaphysics in general". Kant builds on the work of empiricist philosophers such as John Locke and David Hume, as well as rationalists such as Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz and Christian Wolff. He expounds new ideas on the nature of space and time, and tries to provide solutions to Hume's scepticism regarding human knowledge of the relation of cause and effect, and Ren� Descartes' scepticism regarding knowledge of the external world. This is argued through the transcendental idealism of objects (as appearance) and their form of appearance. Kant regards the former "as mere representations and not as things in themselves", and the latter as "only sensible forms of our intuition, but not determinations given for themselves or conditions of objects as things in themselves". This grants the possibility of a priori knowledge, since objects as appearance "must conform to our cognition . . . which is to establish something about objects before they are given to us".
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This book by far is the best book ever written about logic. Anyone serious about philosophy needs to very slowly traverse these words.
RetiredProf
Dec 24, 2009
A classic
The book is, of course, a classic. Kant is Kant and is not easy. It may take you a week to fully digest a page or two. This is no bathroom book. Take your time and read slowly. Make sure you understand each sentence before going on to the next. The book is a masterpiece, and you will be rewarded for your diligence.
carsan
May 23, 2009
Wood-Guyer's translation is a masterpiece
I would say, the translation of Wood & Guyer is the best existing one in anglo-american space; it is far better than Smith's translation, over some 80 years ago. Not only students of kantian theoretical philosophy, but also experts in the subject will find this translation a really remarkable piece of art. The text is suitable arranged and easy to follow in the comparion both original editions (A & B, respectively), so that the reader can easily check the differences without great difficulty. I'm very happy for that, and comparing the translation with the original German text, I realize that Guyer and Wood have achieved the goal of a good service to Kant's readers. I rate the translation with 5 stars because there are no more to give; at any rate, i would gite it the maximal possible rate. Cambridge University Press can also be proud to produce such enterprise for english readers. To translators and publisher, my sincere congratulations.
Kerm
Jun 28, 2007
Adult supervision recommended
Turgid, difficult reading, but you're at the source. Not a light Summers read.