What is Neo-Kantianism in Philosophy
Neo-Kantianism is a philosophical current that emerged at the end of the XNUMXth century as a response to German idealism and positivism. This current's main objective was to rescue the principles of Immanuel Kant's thought, adapting them to the demands and challenges of the time. In this glossary, we will explore in detail what neo-Kantianism is in philosophy, its main characteristics and how it influenced philosophical thought.
Origins and Historical Context
Neo-Kantianism emerged in Germany at the end of the XNUMXth century, in a context marked by profound social, political and scientific transformations. At this time, German idealism, represented by philosophers such as Hegel and Schelling, was in decline, and positivism, which defended the primacy of science and empirical experience, was gaining strength. Faced with this scenario, neo-Kantists sought to rescue the principles of Kant's thought, which defended the importance of reason and the autonomy of the subject.
Main Characteristics of Neo-Kantianism
Neo-Kantianism is characterized by a critical and systematic approach to philosophy, based on the principles of Kant's thought. Among the main characteristics of this philosophical current, the following stand out:
1. Criticism of Metaphysics
Like Kant, neo-Kantists criticized traditional metaphysics, which sought to know the essence of things through pure reason. They argued that metaphysics was not capable of providing safe and objective knowledge, as it was based on speculative assumptions that could not be empirically verified.
2. Emphasis on Epistemology
Neo-Kantists placed special emphasis on epistemology, that is, the study of human knowledge. They sought to understand how the subject knows and how knowledge is constructed, defending the importance of reason and empirical experience in this process.
3. Criticism of Positivism
Although they shared with positivism the valuation of science and empirical experience, neo-Kantists criticized the positivist view that only scientific knowledge was valid. They argued that science was not capable of answering all human questions, especially those related to ethics, aesthetics and the philosophy of mind.
4. Importance of Philosophy of Language
Neo-Kantists placed great importance on the philosophy of language, seeking to understand how language influences thought and how it can be used to express and communicate knowledge. They argued that language was not just an instrument of communication, but also a way of constructing and organizing knowledge.
5. Influence on Contemporary Philosophy
Neo-Kantianism has exerted a significant influence on contemporary philosophy, especially in the field of philosophy of science and philosophy of mind. Many of the debates and questions raised by neo-Kantists continue to be discussed today, such as the relationship between subject and object, the nature of scientific knowledge and the possibility of a transcendental philosophy.
Conclusion
In short, neo-Kantianism in philosophy was a philosophical current that emerged at the end of the XNUMXth century as a response to German idealism and positivism. This current sought to rescue the principles of Kant's thought, adapting them to the challenges of the time. Neo-Kantianism is characterized by a critical and systematic approach to philosophy, with an emphasis on epistemology and the philosophy of language. His influence on contemporary philosophy is evident, especially in the fields of philosophy of science and philosophy of mind.
