Receptivity

Receptivity (literally: 'receptivity') is generally the ability to receive effects . The term was introduced into philosophy primarily by Immanuel Kant and describes in particular the ability of humans (and other living beings) to get ideas of these objects through the influence of objects. Kant also calls this ability sensuality :

"The ability (receptivity) to get ideas through the way we are affected by objects is called sensuality."

According to Kant, our receptivity provides us with sensual perceptions that are structured by the forms of space and time (the “pure perceptions”).

The opposite of receptivity as the passive side of our cognitive faculties is called " spontaneity ". It is the active ability to understand the received 'material' by forming concepts and applying them to the objects.

Outside of the epistemological context, the concept of receptivity is also used by Kant to analyze the problem of a teleological description of nature: one would not only have to think of a corresponding receptivity of matter (for the various forms of organisms), but also a spontaneity that creates forms (an inexperienced creator).

Web links

Wiktionary: receive  - explanations of meanings, word origins, synonyms, translations

Wiktionary: Reception  - explanations of meanings, word origins, synonyms, translations

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Immanuel Kant (1781): Critique of Pure Reason B 33.
2. ↑ Immanuel Kant (1781): Critique of Pure Reason B 74.
3. ↑ Immanuel Kant (1790): Critique of Judgment § 78 (AA Vol. V 411).