Kant's Transcendental Illusion: Reason and Metaphysics

Transcendental Illusion: Reason and its Limits

The basis of understanding, according to Kant, lies in the application of concepts to general phenomena, drawing upon both a priori knowledge and experience. Thinking involves organizing concepts logically, based on their universality. This process leads to what Kant calls Ideas of Reason:

• Alma (the body of knowledge about internal experience)
• World (knowledge about external experience)
• God (a synthesis of both)

Although these ideas encompass all phenomena, they do not provide us with concrete knowledge. We lack the necessary intuition to grasp them. Therefore, metaphysics as a science is impossible, as knowledge is limited by sensory experience. However, humans have a natural inclination to ponder questions like "Who am I?", "What is the meaning of the world?", and "Does God exist?", despite knowing that definitive answers may be unattainable. This tendency is what Kant calls the transcendental illusion.

The Use of Ideas of Reason

While we cannot know the Ideas of Reason, we can use them in two ways:

• Negative: To define the boundaries of knowledge.
• Positive: To organize our understanding of concepts.

Although pure reason cannot address metaphysical topics, Kant believes we can approach them through practical reason. The postulates of practical reason are necessary assumptions for morality:

Postulates of Practical Reason

1. Freedom: The capacity to act autonomously.
2. Immortality of the Soul: The need for indefinite progress in virtue, given the limitations of human existence.
3. Existence of God: The requirement for a connection between virtue and happiness.

These three postulates are noumena, unprovable and unknowable. They are accepted through rational faith. Ultimately, Kant's critique of metaphysics makes room for faith by acknowledging the limits of knowledge.