Kant and the exact sciences

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Kant aimed to establish a philosophy that aligned with the scientific advancements of his time, particularly Euclidean geometry and Newtonian physics. In this new work, Michael Friedman emphasizes the significance of Kant's quest for a metaphysics that underpins the sciences, tracing its influence from his early thesis in 1747 through the Critique of Pure Reason to his final unpublished writings in the Opus postumum. Unlike previous commentators who downplayed these efforts due to the obsolescence of the sciences, Friedman asserts that Kant's philosophy is profoundly informed by his insights into the foundations of the exact sciences, marking a key strength of his work. In the first part, Friedman explores Kant's interactions with geometry, arithmetic, algebra, mechanics, and gravitation. The second part focuses on the Opus postumum, illustrating how Kant's engagement with emerging concepts in heat physics and chemistry motivated his intended transition from the Metaphysical Foundations of Natural Science to Physics. This book is a significant scholarly contribution, offering a powerful argument that enhances our understanding of Kant's philosophy of science.