Why Logic Must Be Transcendental

Abstract

[The logic of the general use of the understanding] contains the absolutely necessary rules of thinking, without which no use of the understanding takes place, and it therefore concerns these rules without regard to the difference of the objects to which it may be directed.... Now general logic is either pure or applied logic. In the former we abstract from all empirical conditions under which our understanding is exercised.... A general but pure logic therefore has to do with strictly a priori principles, and is a canon of the understanding and reason, but only in regard to what is formal in their use, be the content what it may.... A general logic, however, is called applied if it is directed to the rules of the use of the understanding under the subjective empirical conditions that psychology teaches us.... In general logic the part that is to constitute the pure doctrine of reason must therefore be entirely separated from that which constitutes applied (though still general) logic. The former alone is properly science.... In this therefore logicians must always have two rules in view. 1) As general logic it abstracts from all contents of the cognition of the understanding and of the difference of its objects, and has to do with nothing but the mere form of thinking. 2) As pure logic it has no empirical principles, and thus draws nothing from psychology.... It is a proven doctrine, and everything in it must be completely a priori.KeywordsLogical TruthElementary LogicLogical ObjectLogical NecessityTranscendental ArgumentThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.