Solomon Maimon: Monism, Skepticism, and Mathematics PDF
Preview Solomon Maimon: Monism, Skepticism, and Mathematics
Solomon Maimon MONISM SKEPTICISM AND MATHEMATICS Solomon Maimon Meir Buzaglo UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH PRESS PublishedbytheUniversityofPittsburghPress, Pittsburgh, Pa.,15260 Copyright© 2002, UniversityofPittsburgh Press Allrights reserved Manufacturedinthe UnitedStatesofAmerica Printedonacid-freepaper 10987 6 5432 1 LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationData Buzaglo,Meir,1959- SolomonMaimon:monism,skepticism,andmathematics/MeirBuzaglo. p. cm. Includesbibliographicalreferencesandindex. ISBN0-8229-4176-7 (alk. paper) 1. Maimon, Salomon,1754-1800. 1.Title. B3068 .B89 2002 181'.06-dc21 2001006537 TO MY BELOVED BROTHER SHALOM ~ ~ Contents Preface IX Acknowledgments Xl Abbreviations Xlli Introduction I I. The Kantian Challenge II 2.The QuidJurisQuestion 28 3- Maimon's Ladder 49 4. An Interlude: Polarization 77 5. Aesthetics:The Critique ofIdeality 89 6. Reconstructing the Outside 1°4 7. Substance and Causality 118 Epilogue. Closingthe Circle: Maimon and the Kabbala 133 Appendix: Maimon andModern Structuralism in Mathematics 139 Notes 149 Bibliography 159 Index 163 ~ ~ Preface ThephilosophyofSolomonMaimonisusuallyconsideredanimportant link between Kant's transcendental philosophy and German idealism. HereIattempttoreadMaimonasanindependentpost-Kantianthinker. Maimon's importance does not derive from the greatness ofthe systems he undoubtedlyinfluenced; his is alastingcontribution in its own right. An understanding ofMaimon's work can significantly contribute to an understanding ofcertain complex notions in Kant's work, such as intu ition, affection, and the thing-in-itsel£ Maimon's work also gives us a better understanding of the system of Fichte and Hegel; however, its main merit lies in suggesting a system that combines idealism and ra tionalism in an originalway. This study is essentially a reconstruction, from an analytical per spective, of the system Solomon Maimon proposed as a challenge to Kant's concept-intuition dualism. In proposing such a reconstruction, I am, ineffect, carryingoutthedetailedplanoutlinedbyMaimonhimself in his Versuch iiber Transcendentalphilosophie~a draftofwhichwas highly acclaimed by Kant.This plan is not developed in Maimon's laterwork. Although Kant rejected the ideaofagivenwithout aconceptual el ement, his system is distinctly dualistic. The starting point for the dia logue between Kant and Maimon is the question ofthe possibility ofa connection between intuition and concept. The originality ofMaimon lies in his translation ofthis problem into the mathematical realm. He assumed that in mathematics sensibility is not independent of under standing, andintuition is nothingbuttheconceptin its potentialmode. ThisansweristhebasisforintroducingMaimon'ssynthesisamongHume, Kant, andLeibniz. I addressthetwocentralproblemsinreadingMaimon. Thefirst is makingthe connectionbetweensensibilityandunderstanding IX
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