Kant and the Construction of Pure Reason: An Analogy With a Chemical Experiment

Abstract

This paper defends a constructive interpretation of the Critique of Pure Reason, which is built in analogy with an experimental construction that Kant believes to characteristic of chemistry. I also argue for a way to reconcile the methodological perspective of the constructivist method with that of transcendental reflection. I therefore provide a constructive explanation for what Kant describes as being pure reason and the argument of the transcendental 1 Research supported by CNPq (bolsa produtividade em pesquisa) and PROEX/CAPES, Auxílio Nº. 0320/2021, Processo Nº. 23038.006752/2021-95, PPGFil-UFSC.