Practical and empirical cognition of the cognitive self

Abstract

This paper explores the different ways in which knowledge of ourselves as cognizers depends on the transcendental unity of apperception. First, since all cognition requires the transcendental unity of apperception, so does empirical knowledge of ourselves as cognizers. Second, since empirical cognizers are cognizers, they must possess the unity of self-consciousness required for cognition. Third, empirical psychology needs an object and the transcendental unity of apperception makes it possible to attach ‘I-think’ to representations of the empirical world, thereby supplying psychological states, such as ‘I think that bodies are heavy,’ to be studied. Finally, the Psychological Idea through which psychology is made systematic gets it first principle from the necessary unity of apperception.