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7 Kant’s Concept of Force and its Application in Physics and Psychology

  • Stephen Howard
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The Concept of Nature in Classical German Philosophy
This chapter is in the book The Concept of Nature in Classical German Philosophy

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’.

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Table of Contents V
  3. 1 Introduction: The Resurgence of Classical German Natural Philosophy 1
  4. Part I Visions of Nature
  5. 2 Three Visions of Nature for German Idealism: Kant, Herder, Goethe 21
  6. 3 Nature as a “You”: Novalis’s Philosophical Extension of Fichte 45
  7. 4 Schelling on Comprehending Nature as an Absolute Activity: From Intellectual Intuition to Ecstasy of Reason 61
  8. 5 Hegel and the Rationality of Nature 77
  9. 6 Ludwig Feuerbach’s Ecological Humanism 91
  10. Part II Inorganic Nature
  11. 7 Kant’s Concept of Force and its Application in Physics and Psychology 111
  12. 8 From Kant to Schelling: Metaphysics of Nature and the Rise of Modern Science 135
  13. 9 Goethe’s Rational Empiricism 157
  14. 10 Hegel’s Concept of Inorganic Nature as Umwelt 183
  15. Part III Organic Nature
  16. 11 Nature versus Life: Dialectics and Physiology in Schelling 209
  17. 12 Anatomopathology of Reason: Bichat’s Legacy in Hegel’s Philosophy 229
  18. 13 The Emergence of Sentience: Hegel’s Conception of Animals 247
  19. 14 Great Chains of Being in Schelling’s Würzburg System 263
  20. 15 In What Sense is Nature a Scale of Degrees? Schelling and Hegel on “Degrees” in Nature 283
  21. Index of Names 295
  22. Index of Subjects 297
https://doi.org/10.1515/9783111002453-007

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Table of Contents V
  3. 1 Introduction: The Resurgence of Classical German Natural Philosophy 1
  4. Part I Visions of Nature
  5. 2 Three Visions of Nature for German Idealism: Kant, Herder, Goethe 21
  6. 3 Nature as a “You”: Novalis’s Philosophical Extension of Fichte 45
  7. 4 Schelling on Comprehending Nature as an Absolute Activity: From Intellectual Intuition to Ecstasy of Reason 61
  8. 5 Hegel and the Rationality of Nature 77
  9. 6 Ludwig Feuerbach’s Ecological Humanism 91
  10. Part II Inorganic Nature
  11. 7 Kant’s Concept of Force and its Application in Physics and Psychology 111
  12. 8 From Kant to Schelling: Metaphysics of Nature and the Rise of Modern Science 135
  13. 9 Goethe’s Rational Empiricism 157
  14. 10 Hegel’s Concept of Inorganic Nature as Umwelt 183
  15. Part III Organic Nature
  16. 11 Nature versus Life: Dialectics and Physiology in Schelling 209
  17. 12 Anatomopathology of Reason: Bichat’s Legacy in Hegel’s Philosophy 229
  18. 13 The Emergence of Sentience: Hegel’s Conception of Animals 247
  19. 14 Great Chains of Being in Schelling’s Würzburg System 263
  20. 15 In What Sense is Nature a Scale of Degrees? Schelling and Hegel on “Degrees” in Nature 283
  21. Index of Names 295
  22. Index of Subjects 297
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