Kant on Modality

Abstract

Abstract This chapter presents the relevant elements of Kant's philosophy which inspire many of the ideas and arguments in the book. In particular: (1) Kant’s distinction between mere thought and cognition. (2) The ramifications of Kant's distinction between mere thought and cognition for the distinction between objective and subjective representations. (3) Kant’s distinction between logical modality and real modality. (4) One can understand Kant as bearing some commitment to taking at least some kinds of necessity and possibility to be relative modalities. (5) Kant provides accounts of the function of various kinds of modal judgments and concepts. Logical modal concepts have a role to play in the unity of consciousness, and real modal concepts have a role to play in the possibility of objective representation.