Sublating Kant through Marx: Li Zehou’s Transformation of the Empirical to the Transcendental

Abstract

In this article, I aim to explore and demonstrate a specific mode of transcultural philosophical comparison by introducing an innovative theoretical model that I tentatively call the “method of sublation.” Through an illuminating case study centered around Li Zehou 李澤厚, a prominent figure credited with pioneering this method, its profound potential for generating creative innovation comes to light. Li Zehou skillfully combined Kant’s transcendental philosophy and Marx’s historical materialism, creating a unique synthesis that sublated traditional divides. This sublation elevates the empirical, seamlessly integrating it into the transcendental domain. The foundation of this paper lies in providing a concise yet comprehensive overview of the method’s theoretical underpinnings, closely followed by a meticulous dissection of its operational structure. A tangible application of the method is then vividly demonstrated through Li Zehou’s adept process of seamlessly sublating static Kantian a priori forms with the dynamic principles of Marxist social development theory, exemplifying the potency of this transformative approach in the realm of philosophy.