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The Doctrine of Self-positing and Receptivity in Kant's Late ...

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Descartes‘ notion <strong>of</strong> th<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>cludes ―feel<strong>in</strong>g‖ <strong>and</strong> ―<strong>in</strong>tuition.‖ When it comes to<br />

feel<strong>in</strong>g, Descartes <strong>in</strong>cludes with<strong>in</strong> the nature <strong>of</strong> thought itself what for Kant would be <strong>in</strong><br />

part relegated to the faculty <strong>of</strong> sensibility. In other words, s<strong>in</strong>ce with<strong>in</strong> the Cartesian<br />

paradigm the feel<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> walk<strong>in</strong>g both has content <strong>and</strong> takes place <strong>in</strong> time, it already<br />

implies elements other than pure thought.<br />

Moreover, when it comes to <strong>in</strong>tuition, which for Descartes is both immediate <strong>and</strong><br />

simultaneous, this too cannot be <strong>in</strong>cluded as a form <strong>of</strong> th<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g with<strong>in</strong> Kant‘s critical<br />

stance. Like feel<strong>in</strong>g, <strong>in</strong> Descartes account the act <strong>of</strong> <strong>in</strong>tuition that is the foundation <strong>of</strong> any<br />

propositional expression <strong>of</strong> the truth that ―I am,‖ takes place <strong>in</strong> time—even if not<br />

successive <strong>in</strong> nature. In addition, while for Kant th<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g is spontaneous, this activity <strong>of</strong><br />

the m<strong>in</strong>d is limited to a synthetic function <strong>of</strong> unity that is always already mediated by<br />

concepts <strong>and</strong> judgments as its tools. <strong>The</strong>re is no possibility <strong>in</strong> Kant critical philosophy<br />

for immediacy <strong>in</strong> pure thought. Thus, regardless <strong>of</strong> the ontological status <strong>of</strong> the ―I,‖ their<br />

pro<strong>of</strong>s are thus far irreconcilable from with<strong>in</strong> this first level <strong>of</strong> the structure <strong>of</strong> the<br />

doctr<strong>in</strong>e <strong>of</strong> self-<strong>posit<strong>in</strong>g</strong>. Descartes notion <strong>of</strong> th<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g conta<strong>in</strong>s elements excluded from<br />

the level <strong>of</strong> apperception alone.<br />

i. e. ―I am‖ is a Verbum<br />

―I am‖ is the logical act which precedes all representation <strong>of</strong> the Object; it<br />

is a verbum by which I posit myself. 199<br />

199 Ak: 22:85. Förster, 191. Orig<strong>in</strong>al: ―Ich b<strong>in</strong> is der logischer Act der vor aller<br />

Vorstellung des Objects vorhergeht. (Das sum) ist e<strong>in</strong> Verbum wodurch ich mich selbst<br />

setze.‖<br />

136

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