Metaphysics vs. Scientific Knowledge: Kant's Perspective

Metaphysics and Scientific Knowledge: Kant's Perspective

Understanding Metaphysics

To address the proposed topic, we will first explain the concept of metaphysics and all that it encompasses. Then, we will discuss scientific knowledge and its development. Finally, a complete analysis will be made, linking the two concepts and outlining the response Kant gives to metaphysics.

Metaphysics is defined as the attempt to establish, rationally and conceptually, the essences of what exists, but beyond the experience captured by the senses. That is, the human mind begins reasoning and ideally reaches a "response." A response related to reality, but whose production has fallen off of it. In this way, it is close to the spirit of the rationalists, and its foundations are based on pure speculative reason and innate ideas.

Although metaphysics is also understood as the natural attitude of humans, who tend to wonder about the origin of life, whether or not in God, or as a critical metaphysics (Kant's contribution), where human rationality acts as the court about herself, analyzing and accepting its limits of knowledge, what interests us at this time to contrast with the concept of scientific knowledge is the first definition.

Defining Scientific Knowledge

By knowledge, we mean the attempt to find the validity and accuracy of statements being made. To this end, science is used, which is the reflection of thinking about some phenomena with the intent to understand, explain, and establish laws. The way you can make a real statement reliable is what is known as scientific knowledge. To elaborate, we need first the formation of experience by external agents to the subject and the creative development of an axiom by the action of understanding, the subject itself. Thus, knowledge arises from the transformation of what was received by the action of *a prioris*, which makes them understandable to the human mind. Once sorted and organized, knowledge emerges as a set of axioms, principles, or universal and necessary truths.

Metaphysics vs. Scientific Knowledge

So, metaphysics and scientific knowledge are faced, in that both aspire to establish the first principles and give an explanation for natural phenomena.

Kant's View on the Debate

For Kant, the role of experience will be crucial. This "battle" will be won by the application of scientific knowledge. Still, Kant leaves metaphysics a highly honorable exit: the transcendent world of values, a world beyond experience. But even so, it must leave to establish truth claims because, in the world of ethics and morality, freedom prevails.