Absolute Space as a necessary idea: Reading Kant’s Phenomenology through perspectival lenses

Michela Massimi

doi:10.1017/9781108661072.011

Absolute Space as a necessary idea: Reading Kant’s Phenomenology through perspectival lenses

Michela Massimi

School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (peer-reviewed) › peer-review

Abstract / Description of output

Kant’s engagement with Newton’s notion of ‘absolute space’ is fascinating, complex, and spans over both the pre-Critical and the Critical period. The received view has it that in the pre-Critical period Kant shifted from an originally Leibnizian view of space (still visible in Physical Monadology [MonPh, 1756], and New Doctrine of Motion and Rest [NLBR, 1758]) to a proper Newtonian view of absolute space via the incongruent counterparts argument in Directions in Space (GUGR, 1768), for then abandoning absolute space in the Inaugural Dissertation (MSI, 1770). Indeed, the same argument from incongruent counterparts was later employed in the Prolegomena (1783) as an argument for space as “the form of outer intuition of … sensibility” (Prol, 4:286).

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Kant's Metaphysical Foundations of Natural Science
Subtitle of host publication	A Critical Guide
Editors	Michael Bennett McNulty
Publisher	Cambridge University Press
Chapter	10
Pages	215-239
ISBN (Electronic)	9781108661072
ISBN (Print)	9781108476898
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108661072.011
Publication status	Published - Oct 2022

Publication series

Name	Cambridge Critical Guides

Access to Document

10.1017/9781108661072.011

Massimi2022AbsoluteSpaceAsNecessary
This material has been published in "Kant's Metaphysical Foundations of Natural Science" by Michela Massimi and edited by Michael Bennett McNulty. This version is free to view and download for personal use only. Not for re-distribution, re-sale or use in derivative works. © Cambridge University Press
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1 Finished

Perspectival Realism. Science, Knowledge, and Truth from a Human Vantage Point.
Massimi, M.
EU government bodies
1/01/16 → 30/06/21
Project: Research

2 Article

Points of view: Kant on perspectival knowledge
Massimi, M., 20 Jul 2018, In: Synthese. N/A, p. 1-18
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access
File
What is this thing called 'scientific knowledge?' Kant on imaginary standpoints and the regulative role of reason
Massimi, M., 26 Sept 2017, In: Kant Yearbook. 9, 1, p. 63-84
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access
File

Cite this

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Absolute Space as a necessary idea: Reading Kant’s Phenomenology through perspectival lenses. / Massimi, Michela.
Kant's Metaphysical Foundations of Natural Science: A Critical Guide. ed. / Michael Bennett McNulty. Cambridge University Press, 2022. p. 215-239 (Cambridge Critical Guides).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (peer-reviewed) › peer-review

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Absolute Space as a necessary idea: Reading Kant’s Phenomenology through perspectival lenses

Abstract / Description of output

Publication series

Access to Document

Fingerprint

Projects

Perspectival Realism. Science, Knowledge, and Truth from a Human Vantage Point.

Research output

Points of view: Kant on perspectival knowledge

What is this thing called 'scientific knowledge?' Kant on imaginary standpoints and the regulative role of reason

Cite this