[HM] Hilbert's epigraph from Kant

Stig Andur Pedersen (sap@ruc.dk)
Fri, 26 Jun 1998 09:35:27 +0200

Concerning Hilbert's epigraph in *Found Geom*

The quotation is from "The Final Purpose of the Natural Dialectic of Huma=
n
Reason" in "Appendix to the Transcendental Dialectic" (this important but
neglected appendix deals with ideas in science). In the Norman Kemp Smith
translation one reads:

"Thus all human knowledge begins with intuitions, proceeds from thence to
concepts, and ends with ideas." (A702,B730).

The reference given in Hilbert is misleading because it refers to a simil=
ar
phrase earlier in the Critique, namely

"All our knowledge starts with the senses, proceeds from thence to
understanding, and ends with reason,=8A" (A299,B355).

This statement is from the general introduction to Kant's analysis of
reason (Pure Reason as the Seat of Transcendental Illusion, A. Reason in
general).

Andur

***************************************

Stig Andur Pedersen
Section for Philosophy and Science Studies,
Section for Mathematics

Roskilde University
P.O.Box 260
DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark

Phone +45 46742265
Secretary +45 46742587
Fax +45 46743012
email sap@ruc.dk

***************************************