Metaphysics transcendental

Paneth is clearly not a naive realist because he recognizes two senses of the term element. Indeed, he is the last chemist of any note to have stressed the value in drawing this distinction.In fact, Paneth s element scheme is the one still in use to this day, although most contemporary chemists would probably be loath to recognize a metaphysical or transcendental aspect to the nature of the elements, falsely believing that this might smack of alchemy, which they, of course, take to be a gravely mistaken enterprise. ... 

Hence, the Ubergang is supposed to fill the gap in the structure of Kant s science of nature (Naturlehre) and thus fill out the architectural plan of his transcendental philosophy. The transition from the metaphysical principle to the empirical part of physics and chemistry hinges on the systematic formulation of a dynamical theory... 

One should distinguish here between the transcendental part of the metaphysics of nature and a special metaphysical natural science (4 470). 

Kant scholars disagree about where exactly the gap should be located (whether it is a methodological gap or more serious), but there is no doubt that the term gap is appropriate to indicate the seriousness of what is missing in Kant s system hitherto (apart from the fact that Kant repeatedly uses the term himself). Edwards (2000, 152f), who stresses continuity in Kant s philosophy, also uses it (Kant s) transitional science is supposed to fill in a gap in the structure of the Kantian metaphysics of nature (and thus fill out the architectural plan of Kant s transcendental philosophy). The actual passage from metaphysical principles to the empirical part of physics is supposed to take place by means of the systematic formulation of a dynamical theory of matter. This theory of matter is founded on the concept of a cosmic aether. ... 

Kant s notion of element would warrant separate attention. Cf. Carrier (2001), B673-681, (29 161-166, 341-361). Kant followed Stahl in having five elements, which for him were more like regulative ideas of reason and can never be identified empirically. Kant s understanding of these elements changed over time under influence of developments in chemistry. Kant s theory of elements in the KrV is transcendental (not empirical or metaphysical). 

Indeed, the true, the good, and the beautiful are among those few but extremely important metaphysical terms called transcendentals —terms which apply to all contingent beings to the extent they exist, and as such are not valuative but ontological.A fly is beautiful, but not beautiful in the way people normally... 

In a strong sense, metaphysics is really at the heart of philosophy since it deals with the nature of reality in its widest throw. Metaphysics comprises two main areas or sub-disciplines ontology and transcendental metaphysics. Ontology concerns itself with responding to the question what exists while Transcendental Metaphysics concerns itself with the questions what is it for something to exist , are there different modes of existence , and if there are different modes of existence, what are the truth makers for these modes ... 

More specifically, ontology attempts to formulate a complete list of the fundamental categories of being, while transcendental metaphysics concerns itself with (a) a fundamental understanding of essence, existence, nature, cause, etc., and the relationships between them, (b) the truth makers for modal claims, and (c) the transcendental attributes of being—attributes which apply to all beings simply as beings. 

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