Accessing Kant - A Relaxed Introduction to the Critique of Pure Reason

A philosophy-major friend told me he knew of no guides to Kant's _Critique of Pure Reason_. Luckily, I found this, and it's been a godsend. Kant's First Critique is profound and revolutionary, and essential to any history of philosophy. But he's difficult in many ways: he defines existing words in new ways, deals with abstract concepts that are difficult to understand, and his prose is often impenetrably thick. _Accessing Kant_ is very helpful to someone making his or her way through the Critique. It opens with two chapters placing Kant in the philosophical context of his times. Then it proceeds through the Critique section by section, highlighting key passages, and explaining aspects of Kant's writing that are difficult to comprehend on first encountering them. Without dumbing down Kant's thinking at all, Rosenberg presents Kant's arguments in more understandable language, and often provides thought-experiments or examples to guide your way. One minor complaint I have is that some key terms that might be familiar to those with a philosophy background --- e.g., esse, concipi, percipi, just in case x --- are not defined. (They mean, respectively, mode of being, to be conceived, to be perceived, and if-and-only-if x.) And don't expect this to be a Cliffs' Notes. Even when explained in clearer language, Kant is still difficult, and I found myself reading some of Rosenberg's chapters more than once before I really understood the idea that what Kant was trying to express. But this book is excellent. It's useful to read a chapter first, then read the chapter of Kant to which it refers. There've been many times when I've turned to it after reading a passage of Kant that seemed impenetrable, and suddenly the meaning became clear. If not for this book, I probably would've abandoned the _Critique_ partway through. I highly recommend _Accessing Kant_ for any first-time reader of Kant's _Critique of Pure Reason_ who wants to fully understand the ideas being expressed in the _Critique_. Jay Rosenberg Introduces Immanuel Kant's Masterwork, The Critique Of Pure Reason, From A 'relaxed' Problem-oriented Perspective Which Treats Kant As An Especially Insightful Practising Philosopher, From Whom We Still Have Much To Learn, Intelligently And Creatively Responding To Significant Questions That Transcend His Work's Historical Setting. Rosenberg's Main Project Is To Command A Clear View Of How Kant Understands Various Perennial Problems, How He Attempts To Resolve Them, And To What Extent He Succeeds. The Constructive Portions Of The First Critique - The Aesthetic And Analytic - Are Explored In Detail; The Paralogisms And Antinomies More Briefly. At The Same Time The Book Is An Introduction To The Challenges Of Reading The Text Of Kant's Work And, To That End, Selectively Adopts A More Rigorous Historical And Exegetical Stance. Accessing Kant Will Be An Invaluable Resource For Advanced Students And For Any Scholar Seeking Rosenberg's Own Distinctive Insights Into Kant's Work.--jacket. Introduction: Two Ways To Encounter Kant -- Ch. 1. Intelligibility: From Direct Platonism To Concept Empiricism -- Ch. 2. Epistemic Legitimacy: Experiential Unity, First Principles And Strategy K -- Ch. 3. The World From A Point Of View: Space And Time -- Ch. 4. Concepts And Categories: Transcendental Logic And The Metaphysical Deduction -- Ch. 5. Perceptual Synthesis: From Sensations To Objects -- Ch. 6. Schemata And Principles: From Pure Concepts To Objective Judgments -- Ch. 7. Synchronic Manifolds: The Axioms And Anticipations -- Ch. 8. Diachronic Manifolds: The Analogies Of Experience -- Ch. 9. Duration And Persistence: Substance In The Analogies -- Ch. 10. Succession And Simultaneity: Causation In The Analogies -- Ch. 11. The World As Actual: The Postulates And The Refutation Of Idealism -- Ch. 12. The Thinking Self As An Idea Of Reason: The Paralogisms -- Ch. 13. Reason In Conflict With Itself: A Brief Look At The Antinomies -- Epilogue: The Rest Of The First Critique -- Bibliography: Works Cited And Suggestions For Further Reading -- Index. Jay F. Rosenberg. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [299]-302) And Index. This book introduces Immanuel Kant's masterwork, the Critique of Pure Reason, from a ‘relaxed’ problem-oriented perspective which treats Kant as an especially insightful practising philosopher, from whom we still have much to learn, intelligently and creatively responding to significant questions that transcend his work's historical setting. The book's main project is to command a clear view of how Kant understands various perennial problems, how he attempts to resolve them, and to what extent he succeeds. The constructive portions of the First Critique—the Aesthetic and Analytic—are explored in detail; the Paralogisms and Antinomies more briefly. At the same time the book is an introduction to the challenges of reading the text of Kant's work and, to that end, selectively adopts a more rigorous historical and exegetical stance. Ideal for advanced students coming to terms with this difficult work, this introduction to one of the masterpieces of philosophy will also be of interest to professional philosophers.