Kant "saved" philosophy from itself. He showed that we can bring rationalism and empiricism together in a third model which uses the best of both and makes reasonable living possible. Western thinkers owe him an enormous debt of gratitude.

But we are indebted to Kant for more than the good results of his legacy. He has also contributed mightily to the relativism, pluralism, and materialism of our age. Here's how.

Kant called that which is knowable by our senses the "phenomena." That which we cannot know empirically is the "noumena." His conclusion: we cannot know the "thing in itself." Our minds interpret the sense data given to them, resulting in knowledge as we know it. But we cannot have objective knowledge of objective reality. This is simply impossible for us. By this measure, how are we to see miracles? Divine revelation through Scripture? Christian ethics? It's all "your truth," but only yours.

So how should we live? Kant's "moral imperative" was simple: do your duty, for the sake of your duty (from his Critique of Practical Reason). If everyone did what you're thinking of doing, would it be right? Is this your duty? (It is tragically possible to explain Hitlerism in the light of Kant's theory of duty.)

What is beautiful? In his Critique of Judgment Kant argued for objective aesthetic theory: things are beautiful (or not) as they possess characteristics which the mind's categories affirm (or not).

The upshot of Kant's influence: Western philosophy is both empirical and rational. But the truths that matter--God and his relationship with us--are neither. Clearly, Christians must respond to the Kantian challenge if we are to defend the objective truth of Scripture and faith. Or we are doomed to live in his relativistic world.

Where to begin? With his premises. Kant argued that we cannot know objective truth. His statement is itself a claim to objective truth, is it not? He claimed that we cannot know the "thing in itself." This is itself a claim about the "thing in itself," is it not? While I would certainly not argue that my sense impressions of reality, as interpreted by my mind, constitute all of objective reality that exists, the limitation is with me, not with reality. There is objective reality. And we should strive to know it as best we can. Our limitations are not to be embraced but overcome.

Kant's thought is the air most Western minds breathe, until they suffocate. Next week, let's open the windows.

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Other segments of the "Why do we think the way we do?" series:

"Why do we think the way we think?"

"A stonecutter and the Savior"

"A broad thinker and the world he left us"

"The biological philosopher"

"So what?"

Just the facts, ma'am