按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
against； or rash attacks upon； an opinion which is held by the largest
and most moral class of the munity； for that would be giving them
an importance which they do not deserve。 When I hear that the
freedom of the will； the hope of a future life； and the existence of
God have been overthrown by the arguments of some able writer； I
feel a strong desire to read his book； for I expect that he will add
to my knowledge and impart greater clearness and distinctness to my
views by the argumentative power shown in his writings。 But I am
perfectly certain； even before I have opened the book； that he has not
succeeded in a single point； not because I believe I am in
possession of irrefutable demonstrations of these important
propositions； but because this transcendental critique； which has
disclosed to me the power and the limits of pure reason； has fully
convinced me that； as it is insufficient to establish the affirmative；
it is as powerless； and even more so； to assure us of the truth of the
negative answer to these questions。 From what source does this
free…thinker derive his knowledge that there is； for example； no
Supreme Being？ This proposition lies out of the field of possible
experience； and； therefore； beyond the limits of human cognition。
But I would not read at； all the answer which the dogmatical
maintainer of the good cause makes to his opponent； because I know
well beforehand； that he will merely attack the fallacious grounds
of his adversary； without being able to establish his own
assertions。 Besides； a new illusory argument； in the construction of
which talent and acuteness are shown； is suggestive of new ideas and
new trains of reasoning； and in this respect the old and everyday
sophistries are quite useless。 Again； the dogmatical opponent of
religion gives employment to criticism； and enables us to test and
correct its principles； while there is no occasion for anxiety in
regard to the influence and results of his reasoning。
But； it will be said； must we not warn the youth entrusted to
academical care against such writings； must we not preserve them
from the knowledge of these dangerous assertions； until their
judgement is ripened； or rather until the doctrines which we wish to
inculcate are so firmly rooted in their minds as to withstand all
attempts at instilling the contrary dogmas； from whatever quarter they
may e？
If we are to confine ourselves to the dogmatical procedure in the
sphere of pure reason； and find ourselves unable to settle such
disputes otherwise than by being a party in them； and setting
counter…assertions against the statements advanced by our opponents；
there is certainly no plan more advisable for the moment； but； at
the same time； none more absurd and inefficient for the future； than
this retaining of the youthful mind under guardianship for a time； and
thus preserving it… for so long at least… from seduction into error。
But when； at a later period； either curiosity； or the prevalent
fashion of thought places such writings in their hands； will the
so…called convictions of their youth stand firm？ The young thinker；
who has in his armoury none but dogmatical weapons with which to
resist the attacks of his opponent； and who cannot detect the latent
dialectic which lies in his own opinions as well as in those of the
opposite party； sees the advance of illusory arguments and grounds
of proof which have the advantage of novelty； against as illusory
grounds of proof destitute of this advantage； and which； perhaps；
excite the suspicion that the natural credulity of his youth has
been abused by his instructors。 He thinks he can find no better
means of showing that he has out grown the discipline of his
minority than by despising those well…meant warnings； and； knowing
no system of thought but that of dogmatism； he drinks deep draughts of
the poison that is to sap the principles in which his early years were
trained。
Exactly the opposite of the system here remended ought to be
pursued in academical instruction。 This can only be effected； however；
by a thorough training in the critical investigation of pure reason。
For； in order to bring the principles of this critique into exercise
as soon as possible； and to demonstrate their perfect even in the
presence of the highest degree of dialectical illusion； the student
ought to examine the assertions made on both sides of speculative
questions step by step； and to test them by these principles。 It
cannot be a difficult task for him to show the fallacies inherent in
these propositions； and thus he begins early to feel his own power
of securing himself against the influence of such sophistical
arguments； which must finally lose； for him； all their illusory power。
And； although the same blows which overturn the edifice of his
opponent are as fatal to his own speculative structures； if such he
has wished to rear； he need not feel any sorrow in regard to this
seeming misfortune； as he has now before him a fair prospect into
the practical region in which he may reasonably hope to find a more
secure foundation for a rational system。
There is； accordingly； no proper polemic in the sphere of pure
reason。 Both parties beat the air and fight with their own shadows； as
they pass beyond the limits of nature； and can find no tangible
point of attack… no firm footing for their dogmatical conflict。
Fight as vigorously as they may； the shadows which they hew down；
immediately start up again； like the heroes in Walhalla； and renew the
bloodless and unceasing contest。
But neither can we admit that there is any proper sceptical
employment of pure reason； such as might be based upon the principle
of neutrality in all speculative disputes。 To excite reason against
itself； to place weapons in the hands of the party on the one side
as well as in those of the other； and to remain an undisturbed and
sarcastic spectator of the fierce struggle that ensues； seems； from
the dogmatical point of view； to be a part fitting only a malevolent
disposition。 But； when the sophist evidences an invincible obstinacy
and blindness； and a pride which no criticism can moderate； there is
no other practicable course than to oppose to this pride and obstinacy
similar feelings and pretensions on the other side； equally well or
ill founded； so that reason； staggered by the reflections thus
forced upon it； finds it necessary to moderate its confidence in
such pretensions and to listen to the advice of criticism。 But we
cannot stop at these doubts； much less regard the conviction of our
ignorance； not only as a cure for the conceit natural to dogmatism；
but as the settlement of the disputes in which reason is involved with
itself。 On the contrary； scepticism is merely a means of awakening
reason from its dogmatic dreams and exciting it to a more careful
investigation into its own powers and pretensions。 But； as
scepticism appears to be the shortest road to a permanent peace in the
domain of philosophy； and as it is the track pursued by the many who
aim at giving a philosophical colouring to their contemptuous
dislike of all inquiries of this kind； I think it necessary to present
to my readers th