Midterm Study Questions

One of the following study questions will be on your midterm exam.

(1) Explain what Kant means by analytic, synthetic, a priori, and a posteriori.  Be sure to use examples and point out what Kant thinks are legitimate and illegitimate combinations of these terms.  How does Kant classify the statement, "Gold is a yellow metal"?  Do you agree or disagree?  Defend your position.  How do you think Kant would classify the statement, "Every creature with a heart is a creature with a kidney"?  Be sure to comment on Kant's three criteria of a priori judgment, especially the criterion of universality.

(2) Explain what Kant means by analytic, synthetic, a priori, and a posteriori.  Be sure to use examples and point out what Kant thinks are legitimate and illegitimate combinations of these terms.  After doing this, go on to explain what Kant thinks pure intuitions are, and use examples to show how he thinks they are linked to synthetic a priori knowledge.  Do you agree or disagree with his account of intuition and synthetic a priori knowledge?  Defend your position.

(3) What is the critique of pure reason?  Explain with respect to the terms analytic, synthetic, a priori, and a posteriori.  Explain the terms "transcendent" and "transcendental."  What do they have to do with the critique of pure reason?

(4) Explain what Kant means by intuition.  What does Kant mean by the form and matter of intuition?  What are the pure forms of intuition?  Are they concepts?  How are the pure forms related to synthetic a priori knowledge?  What do you think of Kant's views on these matters?  Defend your position.

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