Hatfield Gary (ed.) Immanuel Kant. Prolegomena to Any Future Metaphysics

That Will Be Able to Come Forward as Science with Selections from the Critique of Pure Reason. Revised Edition. — Cambridge University Press, 2004. — 268 p.It was characteristic of the great modern philosophers to attempt, each in his own way, to rebuild philosophy from the ground up. Kant embraced this goal more fully than any other classical modern philosopher. And his work did in fact change philosophy permanently, though not always as he intended. He wanted to show that philosophers and natural scientists were not able, and would never be able, to give final answers to questions about the nature of the physical world and of the human mind or soul, and about the existence and attributes of a supreme being. While he did not accomplish precisely that, his work changed philosophy’s conception of what can be known, and how it can be known. Kant also wanted to set forth new and permanent doctrines in metaphysics and morals. Though his exact teachings have not gained general acceptance, they continue to inspire new positions in philosophical discussion today.