7 Kant’s Concept of Force and its Application in Physics and Psychology
-
Stephen Howard
Abstract
This chapter argues that Kant holds a single concept of force in general, that he applies this in the domains of physics and psychology, and that both the continuities and the differences between physical and mental forces are important for a clearer understanding of key features of the critical philosophy. After first arguing that Kraft should be consistently translated as ‘force’, I explain Kant’s single concept of force in general. In line with the terminology of previous substance metaphysics, Kant presents this as a predicable, or a derivative pure concept of the understanding. This single concept is then applied in the distinct domains of physics and psychology. I aim to show that, although he carefully separates these domains, Kant considers there to be an important methodological continuity in the way that physical and mental forces should be investigated-namely, through what I call the ‘reduction method’.
Abstract
This chapter argues that Kant holds a single concept of force in general, that he applies this in the domains of physics and psychology, and that both the continuities and the differences between physical and mental forces are important for a clearer understanding of key features of the critical philosophy. After first arguing that Kraft should be consistently translated as ‘force’, I explain Kant’s single concept of force in general. In line with the terminology of previous substance metaphysics, Kant presents this as a predicable, or a derivative pure concept of the understanding. This single concept is then applied in the distinct domains of physics and psychology. I aim to show that, although he carefully separates these domains, Kant considers there to be an important methodological continuity in the way that physical and mental forces should be investigated-namely, through what I call the ‘reduction method’.
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Frontmatter I
- Table of Contents V
- 1 Introduction: The Resurgence of Classical German Natural Philosophy 1
-
Part I Visions of Nature
- 2 Three Visions of Nature for German Idealism: Kant, Herder, Goethe 21
- 3 Nature as a “You”: Novalis’s Philosophical Extension of Fichte 45
- 4 Schelling on Comprehending Nature as an Absolute Activity: From Intellectual Intuition to Ecstasy of Reason 61
- 5 Hegel and the Rationality of Nature 77
- 6 Ludwig Feuerbach’s Ecological Humanism 91
-
Part II Inorganic Nature
- 7 Kant’s Concept of Force and its Application in Physics and Psychology 111
- 8 From Kant to Schelling: Metaphysics of Nature and the Rise of Modern Science 135
- 9 Goethe’s Rational Empiricism 157
- 10 Hegel’s Concept of Inorganic Nature as Umwelt 183
-
Part III Organic Nature
- 11 Nature versus Life: Dialectics and Physiology in Schelling 209
- 12 Anatomopathology of Reason: Bichat’s Legacy in Hegel’s Philosophy 229
- 13 The Emergence of Sentience: Hegel’s Conception of Animals 247
- 14 Great Chains of Being in Schelling’s Würzburg System 263
- 15 In What Sense is Nature a Scale of Degrees? Schelling and Hegel on “Degrees” in Nature 283
- Index of Names 295
- Index of Subjects 297
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Frontmatter I
- Table of Contents V
- 1 Introduction: The Resurgence of Classical German Natural Philosophy 1
-
Part I Visions of Nature
- 2 Three Visions of Nature for German Idealism: Kant, Herder, Goethe 21
- 3 Nature as a “You”: Novalis’s Philosophical Extension of Fichte 45
- 4 Schelling on Comprehending Nature as an Absolute Activity: From Intellectual Intuition to Ecstasy of Reason 61
- 5 Hegel and the Rationality of Nature 77
- 6 Ludwig Feuerbach’s Ecological Humanism 91
-
Part II Inorganic Nature
- 7 Kant’s Concept of Force and its Application in Physics and Psychology 111
- 8 From Kant to Schelling: Metaphysics of Nature and the Rise of Modern Science 135
- 9 Goethe’s Rational Empiricism 157
- 10 Hegel’s Concept of Inorganic Nature as Umwelt 183
-
Part III Organic Nature
- 11 Nature versus Life: Dialectics and Physiology in Schelling 209
- 12 Anatomopathology of Reason: Bichat’s Legacy in Hegel’s Philosophy 229
- 13 The Emergence of Sentience: Hegel’s Conception of Animals 247
- 14 Great Chains of Being in Schelling’s Würzburg System 263
- 15 In What Sense is Nature a Scale of Degrees? Schelling and Hegel on “Degrees” in Nature 283
- Index of Names 295
- Index of Subjects 297