Architectonic of Reason: Purposiveness and Systematic Unity in Kant's Critique of Pure Reason

The Architectonic of Pure Reason raises three fundamental questions: What can I know? What should I do? What may I hope? This book argues that Kant's concept of purposiveness is a concept of purposiveness as intelligent design, anchored to the idea of God in the Critique of Pure Reason and grounded on transcendental freedom in his later works. Understanding this shift has important implications for Kantian philosophy, such as the passage from nature to freedom, the relation between faith and knowledge, the philosophical defence of progress in history, and the role of religion.

Format: Hardback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 26 October 2021
Publisher: Oxford University Press

The Architectonic of Pure Reason, a crucial section of Kant's inaugural Critique, presents three fundamental inquiries. These questions revolve around the nature of knowledge, the moral obligations we must uphold, and the aspirations we can harbor. When considered collectively, these inquiries converge on a central question that permeates the entirety of philosophy: what constitutes the human being? Lea Ypi contends that the answer to this question is intricately linked to a specific interpretation of the unity of reason, emphasizing its purposeful nature. By delving into the origins, development, and functions of Kant's concept of purposiveness, this book demonstrates that the notion of purposiveness endorsed in the Critique of Pure Reason represents a concept of purposiveness as intelligent design, distinct from the concept of purposiveness as normativity that would later gain prominence in his later works. In the realm of purposiveness as design, the relationship between reason and nature is firmly rooted in the concept of God. On the other hand, in the realm of purposiveness as normativity, it is anchored to the notion of reflexive judgment, grounded in transcendental freedom. Understanding this shift holds significant implications for some of the most challenging issues confronting the Kantian system: the transition from the system of nature to that of freedom, the interplay between faith and knowledge, the philosophical defense of historical progress, and the role of religion. Furthermore, it is essential to shed light on the profound impact that Kant's critique has had on the subsequent German philosophical tradition.

Weight: 388g
Dimension: 147 x 224 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198748526