Kant on ideas of reason as concepts and as intuitions

Abstract

The paper discusses some of the problems that arise from Kant’s conception(s) of ideas of reason. These problems concern not only the ambiguity of ideas of reason as concepts and intuitions but also questions about the generation of transcendental ideals. To start with, I will first present Kant’s general classification of concepts and intuitions. The issue here is how a finite discursive cognizer can possibly conceive of ideas that seem to exceed discursive cognitive capabilities. In section two, I present a second challenge to Kant’s conception of ideas of reason, i.e., the theory of aesthetic ideas as intellectual intuitions the genius has. Here the issue is, how this view relates to Kant’s critical restriction of cognition. In the conclusion I briefly explore whether the theory of transcendental ideas provides the resources to overcome these concerns.