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stankovic, sasa thesis.pdf - Atrium - University of Guelph

stankovic, sasa thesis.pdf - Atrium - University of Guelph

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efforts <strong>of</strong> theoretical reason, speculative or empirically supported, so that, even if one were<br />

willing to renounce its apodictic certainty, it could not be confirmed by experience and thus<br />

proved a posteriori; and it is nevertheless firmly established by itself” (CPrR 5:47). Kant repeats<br />

this same point in Reflexionen. “The distinction between empirically-conditioned and pure, yet<br />

still practical reason is foundational for the critique <strong>of</strong> practical reason, which asks if there is<br />

such a thing as the latter. Its possibility cannot be comprehended a priori, because it concerns the<br />

relation <strong>of</strong> a real ground to its consequent. Something must therefore be given, which can stem<br />

only from it; and its possibility can be inferred from this reality” (quoted in Allison 1990 234).<br />

But what is it that has to be given in order for practical knowledge to actualize abilities? This is<br />

the beauty <strong>of</strong> freedom. What has to be given is precisely that which gives what is to be given.<br />

What has to be given is the intelligible character or the autonomous attitude: “while, in the case<br />

<strong>of</strong> theoretical cognition, concepts have no significance and principles no use except with respect<br />

to objects <strong>of</strong> experience, in the practical realm they range much further: namely to all rational<br />

beings in general and independently <strong>of</strong> all empirical determining grounds. Even if no object <strong>of</strong><br />

experience corresponds to them, the mere character [Denkungsart] and disposition based on<br />

principles [Gesinnungnach Principien] is enough (R 7201: 19; 275-6)” (quoted in Allison 1990<br />

234). In this sense, I actualize abilities in practical knowledge not because some object awakens<br />

my practical knowledge. I can wait all I want, and nothing will ever happen. Instead, I actualize<br />

abilities in practical knowledge because I myself awaken my practical knowledge. In this sense,<br />

freedom operates entirely in the dark. It is the ultimate leap. In the Science <strong>of</strong> Knowledge Fichte<br />

writes that “it is therefore not so trivial as it seems to some, whether philosophy starts out from a<br />

fact or an Act (that is, from pure activity which presupposes no object, but itself produces it, and<br />

in which the acting, therefore, immediately becomes the deed)” (Fichte I 468). In fact, because<br />

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