Kant’s Philosophy of Physical Science

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xii

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2. Introduction: Kant’s Quest for a Method for Metaphysics

   1. Introduction: Kant’s Quest for a Method for Metaphysics

      • Robert E. Butts

      Pages 1-22

3. The Metaphysical Grounding of Newtonian Natural Philosophy

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 23-23

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   2. The Metaphysical Foundations of Newtonian Science

      • Michael Friedman

      Pages 25-60

   3. Kant’s Two Grand Hypotheses

      • Gordon G. Brittan Jr.

      Pages 61-94

   4. Filled with Wonder: Kant’s Cosmological Essay, the Universal Natural History and Theory of the Heavens

      • William R. Shea

      Pages 95-124

4. The Structure of Scientific Methodology

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 125-125

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   2. Kant’s ‘Special Metaphysics’ and The Metaphysical Foundations of Natural Science

      • Gerd Buchdahl

      Pages 127-161

   3. The Methodological Structure of Kant’s Metaphysics of Science

      • Robert E. Butts

      Pages 163-199

   4. Projecting the Order of Nature

      • Philip Kitcher

      Pages 201-235

5. The Status of Physical Laws and of Theoretical Entities

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 237-237

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   2. Kant on the A Priori and Material Necessity

      • William Harper

      Pages 239-272

   3. Kant’s Methodology: Progress Beyond Newton?

      • Howard Duncan

      Pages 273-306

   4. Kant on Realism and Methodology

      • Kathleen Okruhlik

      Pages 307-329

6. A Thesis About Kant’s Theory of Knowledge

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 331-331

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   2. Kant’s Epistemology as a Theory of Alienated Knowledge

      • Gernot Böhme

      Pages 333-350

7. Back Matter

   Pages 351-363

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The papers in this volume are offered in celebration of the 200th anni versary of the pub 1 i cat i on of Inmanue 1 Kant's The MetaphysicaL Foundations of NatupaL Science. All of the es­ says (including the Introduction) save two were written espe­ ci ally for thi s volume. Gernot Bohme' s paper is an amended and enlarged version of one originally read in the series of lectures and colloquia in philosophy of science offered by Boston University. My own paper is a revised and enlarged version (with an appendix containing completely new material) of one read at the biennial meeting of the Philosophy of Sci­ ence Association held in Chicago in 1984. Why is it important to devote this attention to Kant's last published work in the philosophy of physics? The excellent essays in the volume will answer the question. I will provide some schematic com­ ments designed to provide an image leading from the general question to its very specific answers. Kant is best known for hi s monumental Croitique of Pure Reason and for his writings in ethical theory. His "critical" philosophy requires an initial sharp division of knowledge into its theoretical and practical parts. Moral perfection of attempts to act out of duty is the aim of practical reason. The aim of theoretical reason is to know the truth about ma­ terial and spiritual nature.

• The Philosophy of Physics
• natural philosophy
• philosophy of science
• realism
• science

• Department of Philosophy, The University of Western Ontario, Canada

  Robert E. Butts

Policies and ethics