Critique of Pure Reason: Glossary

Some terms from the Critique of Pure Reason by Immanuel Kant (Cambridge edition, 1998)

apodictic (or apodictive) - Clearly established, necessary. Apodictic (necessary) judgments are contrasted with problematic (possible) and assertoric (actual) judgments.

Kant: "As far as certainty is concerned, I have myself pronounced the judgment that in this kind of inquiry it is in no way allowed to hold opinions, and that anything that even looks like an hypothesis is a forbidden commodity...For every cognition that is supposed to be certain a priori proclaims that it wants to be held for absolutely necessary...which is to be the standard and thus even the example of all apodictic (philosophical) certainty" (p102)

My thought: What can we really know with absolute certainty? Math and science have a necessity to them, and Kant wants to capture what provides that necessity and apply it to metaphysics. The result will be destructive, not constructive. We cannot have mathematical certainty about the most important things in life.

apperception - A subject's consciousness of itself

Kant: "Any difficulty in this depends merely on the question how a subject can internally intuit itself; yet this difficulty is common to every theory. Consciousness of itself (appreception) is the simple representation of the I" (p189) 

My thought: Descartes said, "Cogito ergo sum". I think therefore I am. But there is a wonder in the reflexive nature of our thought. We are conscious of our own consciousness. Cogito quod cogito. Kant is challenging us to see how precise and reliable our self-perception is.

propaedeutic - preparatory or introductory teaching (http://en.wiktionary.org)

Kant: "We can regard a science of the mere estimation of pure reason, of its sources and boundaries, as the propaedeutic to the system of pure reason. Such a thing would not be a doctrine, but must be called only a critique of pure reason" (p149)

My thought: Kant realizes he can't actually say that much. The best he can hope for is to draw boundaries and show the finite capacity of man's understanding. We go this far and no further.

subreption - unfair representation through suppression or fraudulent concealment of facts (http://en.wiktionary.org)

Kant: "Yet this [transcendental] ideality [of time] is to be compared with the subreptions of sensation just as little as that of space is, because in that case one presupposes that the appearance itself, in which these predicates inhere, has objective reality, which is here entirely absent except insofar as it is merely empirical." (p182) 

My thought: We can only think of time as real in reference to our own perception and thinking. A succession of observations, either physical or imagined, creates the essence of time. Our daily observation of the world dulls us to the thought.

transcendental - thought concerning a priori concepts, not objects or sense perceptions 

Kant: "I call all cognition transcendental that is occupied not so much with objects but rather with our mode of cognition of objects insofar as this is to be possible a priori" (p133).

My thought: It's always wise to back up and consider where you are. The Greeks challenged us, "Know thyself." Paul commanded, "Examine yourselves." I find Kant's transcendental philosophy quite compatible with Christian theology because it puts man in his place as a finite creature. Kant is looking at the metaphysical Tower of Babel and says: tear it down.

Christian Ethics and the Very Flame of the Lord

The following is a discussion of my Christian ethical convictions on clean language, modest clothing and loving homosexuals - and their connection to the nature of God.

Clean language

Ephesians 5:4 says "Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving."

Foul language is childish. Young boys like to say "poop", and adults say "shit". Young boys giggle and blush when they hear about sex, and adults pepper their words with "fuck". Young boys complain about mom, and adults say another person is a "son of a bitch". Not much difference when you think about it.

Foul language is also blasphemous. God commands us to not take his name in vain. If I casually toss around God-damn this and God-damn that, I should not be surprised if God actually does damn something. And he may begin with my violation of his command to not toss around his name like that.

In the end, a person's language tells what he really believes. Beliefs matter, so words matter. Crude talk about sex and flippant talk about God reveal a person's worldview. The opposite is also true: you can usually quickly measure a person's character and intelligence by his vocabulary and grammar. The Bible tells us that our words should be filled with thanksgiving. We should be grateful, humble, kind people, and our words will show that we are.

Also, there are no words which are categorically off-limits to a Christian. If a word expresses the right meaning at the right time, then use it. If someone sitting on a couch all day can be properly motivated to get up and work by calling him a lazy ass, then it might be best to speak the truth with words that can be heard. If a movie has lots of swearing, but it uses it to capture something true about life, then enjoy it for what it is. All things are ours.

Other verses: Ephesians 4:29, Colossians 3:8, Matthew 12:34

Modest clothing

To be modest means to not be boastful or to call attention to oneself. In clothing, modesty typically means avoiding sexually suggestive clothing, and this is primarily a concern for women. God made man to be attracted to a woman's body. This is good and right, but it is a gift from our Creator to be used wisely. As a dad, I want my girls to value themselves and not give themselves away for cheap. Showing lots of leg, or low-cut tops, or see-through mid-riffs is an easy way of getting attention from guys - and usually the wrong attention from the wrong guys. Instead, by wearing beautiful clothes which show style and self-respect, they are more likely to attract the attention of young men who will see and value their character and thoughtfulness.

So, modesty is not about being a kill-joy, but about seeking better and lasting things over the quick and easy thrills of the world. 1 Timothy 2:9 says "Women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness - with good works." We should interpret this thoughtfully, not simplistically. A Christian girl can wear gold and pearls, but it should be in moderation and not for attention-seeking. Instead, pay attention to what really matters.

Other verses: 1 Peter 3:1-6, 1 Timothy 4:1-5, Romans 13:11-14

Loving homosexuals

The Apostle Paul wrote "The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost" (1 Timothy 1:15).

God's love extends to sinners, otherwise I would be lost. And it extends to the worst of sinners, otherwise I would be lost. If this is true, then God's love reaches out to homosexuals, and so should I.

Paul also wrote, "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).

It's also true that I tend to minimize sin. I like to talk about love and grace, but don't get the same joy talking about condemnation and wrath. But the Bible presents both: there is love and mercy, but only for the repentant; for the unrepentant, God will be an unrelenting judge.

In the last 10 years, homosexuality has been normalized in our culture. When I was a boy, it was there (as it always has been) but was rarely mentioned on TV or in the news. But now, not only is it normal to see it in pop culture, you are publicly shamed if you say anything negative about homosexuality. The world talks about tolerance, but they will settle for nothing less than approval. Historic Protestant churches have largely approved of homosexuality. I predict evangelical churches will be challenged and split over this issue within a few years. So the pressing issue for us is not loving homosexuals, but the authority of God's Word to define sexuality.

Strangely, I think this will give Christians a tremendous opportunity to show the love of God. The world wants to approve of homosexuality, but the average person has a natural aversion to it, which will lead him to say cruel and harsh things about homosexuals. In contrast, Christians cannot approve of homosexuality, but we know that each person is made in the image of God and is deserving of respect. We should love homosexuals.

Other verses: Romans 1:26-27, Galatians 5:16-24, 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

Wrapping it up

In each of these ethical concerns, the immediate issue is human sexuality and the ultimate issue is submission to God's authority. The sexual urge that drives our most passionate language and strongest attractions and family structures - where did it come from? Is it just our animal nature? If yes, then it boils down to atoms and physics and math. Find whatever pleasure you can, but it all adds up to nothing in the end.

The Bible says that human sexuality comes from the nature of God. It is strong because God is strong. Solomon wrote, "Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is as strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the Lord" (Song of Solomon 8:6-7).

God made us and put his image into us. He made marriage between a man and a woman to reflect Christ and the church. He has also given us an instruction manual for all his work. I've learned that when I ignore instruction manuals, the toys usually end up broken. To get the most and best out of it, let's follow the instructions.