The Break-Up of the Middle View Over the Second Antinomy

Abstract

In this chapter we outline how the middle reworking of the issue of simplicity forced Kant to abandon his middle view and shift to a new basis of legitimacy. We begin by discussing the textual discrepancies in the Antinomies chapter. Then in Section 2 we consider the thesis and antithesis arguments of the Second Antinomy and how Kant is unable to avoid these arguments and so unable to resolve this antinomy. Finally in Section 3 we set out how this failure to resolve the antinomy led to the late basis of legitimacy.