Misology

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Misology (from Greek: misologia) generally denotes the rejection of rational-logical thinking. This can already be found as a problem in Plato's Phaedo , who points out that opinionated arguments and logical deceptions, such as those used in eristics , make those deceived in the end doubt their reason.

According to Immanuel Kant (cf. Logic, Introduction, Section III), misology is a philosophical point of view that invokes wisdom as the primary goal of philosophy, but rejects science . Misology - according to Kant - arises on the one hand from the emptiness of scientific knowledge and the resulting vanity, on the other hand from dissatisfaction with regard to scientific activity. In laying the foundations for the metaphysics of morals , Kant translates “misology” himself as “hatred of reason” (Immanuel Kant: AA IV, 395).

Kant describes in the foundation of the metaphysics of morals that misology follows when “a cultivated reason devotes itself to the enjoyment of life and happiness”. He bases this conclusion on the fact that the more reason is concerned with bliss, the awareness arises that the benefit it expects from the arts and science is more toil than bliss, and bliss is much closer "under the guidance of the mere natural instinct "is. The way to happiness becomes much further through the use of reason than through the use of instinct. This reasoning follows after stating that bliss cannot be the end of man that nature has imposed on him. Kant uses the danger of misology to underline this thesis that reason - in contrast to instinct - is created for something much more worthy than for the induction of happiness.

In contrast, Kant determines the relationship between wisdom and science positively. “Because science has an intrinsic true value only as an organ of wisdom.” He adds, however, that wisdom cannot do without science, but without it becomes a mere “silhouette of a perfection” “to which we will never reach . "

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Immanuel Kant, Collected Writings. Ed .: Vol. 1-22 Prussian Academy of Sciences, Vol. 23 German Academy of Sciences in Berlin, from Vol. 24 Academy of Sciences in Göttingen, Berlin 1900ff., AA IV, 395 .
  2. ↑ Immanuel Kant: Basis for the Metaphysics of Morals , 394.
  3. ↑ Immanuel Kant: Basis for the Metaphysics of Morals , 395.

literature

  • Gottlob Benjamin Jasche (ed.): Immanuel Kant's logic . A handbook for lectures, Königsberg 1800.