Brace yourself for two difficult distinctions!

Immanuel Kant distinguishes between analytic and synthetic propositions. A propostion is analytic if it predicates are contained within its subject. A proposotion is synthetic if it adds new predicates to the subject.

So, "triangles are three-sided" is analytic (because "three sidendness" is in the conapt "triangle"). "Triangles make excellent sails" is synthetic (because this fact about sails is not a part of the concept "triangular").

Kant also distinguishes between a priori and a posteriori knowledge. A priori knowledge is secured by reflection, while a posteriori knowledge requires empirical research. So it looks as if analytic propositions can be arrived at by a priori reflection alone, and synthetic propositions require a bit of a posteriori digging.

Here's the problem!

Kant argues that metaphysical truths must be weird, synthetic, a priori hybrids: sentences both informative and known, without recourse to experience. They must be synthetic (and say something new that is not contained within the subject), yet a priori (and arrived at independently of experience).

For example, "Every event has a cause" smells like a synthetic, a priori statement. The concept of "event" does not contain "cause" within it, and there's no way our limited experiences could secure a general claim about every event throughout time having a cause.

So what did we learn from this?

Immanual Kant figured out how a belief can also be true. Sounds strange? That's because it is.

If Kant is right about metaphysical claims being odd hybrids, he's managed to explain why rationlists and empricists have such trouble securing metphysical truths. Rationalists seek truth through reflection, and empiricists justify beliefs via experience. If Kant is right, an entirely new approach to metaphysics is required. Kant's new approach, in the end, probably changed the entire course of Western philosophy.

So true metaphysical claims do not just say weird things - they are weird things!

What do you say?

There are always multiple... maybe infinite solutions to any problem. They are just not all known... Nor are all solutions reasonable/viable. Personally, I believe it's just a matter of preferance, and or perspective.

Every event has a cause" smells like a synthetic,

smells like fish -- fish bone chart; cause and effect diagram

roko