KANT'S CRITIQUE OF TELEOLOGY IN BIOLOGICAL EXPLANATION

Course of the Argument 83
series 1) of Composition (of the world in space and time), 2) of
Division (of a body), 3) of Origination (of an action), and 4) of Dependence
of Existence (of things in the world). The first two ideas are
called "mathematical," the third and fourth are called "dynamical."
The thesis of each antinomy maintains that the series of conditions
is finite, i.e. that the series ends with an unconditioned. The
antithesis always asserts that the series is infinite, that is, that it
itself is an unconditioned. It should be noted that we are always
dealing with a series that goes from the conditioned to its condition;
this kind of series is called by Kant a regress (B437-8, B538). The
reverse series (from the condition to what it conditions) is called a
progress; but this kind of series causes no particular philosophical
difficulties. The difference between regress and progress can be
seen if we take up once again Kant's comparison with logic: we
must presuppose all premises of an inference as given in order to
draw a conclusion, but we need not presuppose all further consequences
that can possibly be derived from these premises.
But if the same knowledge is viewed as a condition of yet other knowl
edge, and this knowledge as constituting a series of consequences in a
descending line, reason can be quite indifferent as to how far this advance
extends a parte posteriori, and whether a totality of the series is possible at
all. For it does not need such a series in order to be able to draw its
conclusions ... (B388-9)
The Course of the Argument
In the first section of the "Antinomy of Pure Reason" the cosmological
ideas are introduced. In the second section the theses and
antitheses are presented, each is given an apagogical proof, and
some explication of each is provided. In the third section, "The
Interest of Reason in these Conflicts" Kant reports that the thesis
position, although it is speculatively second rate, nonetheless has
the advantage of fitting better with morals and religion; furthermore,
"the thesis also has the advantage of popularity; and this certainly
forms no small part of its claim to favor" (B495). After pointing
out that the antithesis (that is, Leibnizian rationalism under the
title of "empiricism") is speculatively far superior but rather
immodest, not popular and not very conducive to faith and morals,
Kant returns to the thesis position adducing in its support "the