KANT'S CRITIQUE OF TELEOLOGY IN BIOLOGICAL EXPLANATION

Introduction 63
Thus according to Kant, the thesis position is inconceivable,
self-contradictory or evidently false; it draws its only support from
the fact that it is apparently the only alternative to the antithesis
position. Jumping ahead slightly, let me point out that Kant resolves
the antinomies or the apparent contradictions between theses and
antitheses by arguing as follows: If one interprets them reasonably
and takes the principles of his philosophy into account, then in the
two mathematical antinomies (1 & 2) both theses and antitheses are
false and in the dynamical antinomies (3 & 4) both are after some
corrections possibly true. Looking back in the Prolegomena, Kant
remarks:
Consequently, whereas in the first case the opposed assertions were both
false, in this case, on the other hand, where they are opposed to one another
by mere misunderstanding, they may both be true. (§53; p. 83; emphasis
PM)
According to the interpretation sketched above Kant attempts
in the First and Second Antinomies to show that the antithesis position,
too, is false. In the Third and Fourth antinomies he tries to
show that the antithesis is not exclusively true; i.e. after showing
that both positions, as presented, are false but can be corrected, he
tries to prove that even if the corrected antithesis position is true, the
corrected thesis is at least conceivable.
* * * * *
The analysis of the antinomy as a figure of argument will be
carried out in this chapter in five steps. First of all (Section 2.2), I
shall examine the logic of Kant's argument in the antinomies chapter.
The relation of the antinomies both to Kant's Table of Judgements
and to his doctrine of logical opposition will be analyzed, and
the key role for the entire argument played by the apagogical form of
proof will be pointed out. Secondly (Section 2.3), the place in Kant's
systematics and the basic structure of the argument will be
Papers" ("Über Wunder" ca. 1788-90) Kant wrote: "Neither by a miracle nor by a
spiritual being can a motion be produced in the world without effecting just as
much motion in the opposite direction, consequently according to laws of the
action and reaction of matter, for otherwise a motion of the universe in empty
space would arise." (Ak 18,320)