Heuristic Aspects Concerning Mathematics in Kant’s Work

This essay explores the intersection of Kant’s engagement with mathematics and its heuristic dimensions in his (pre)critical theoretic philosophy. It examines Kant’s approach to mathematical methods – synthesis and analysis – through four interconnected sections: highlighting the role of heuristics as problem-solving method, the first section connects heuristics to the ancient mathematical methods and their role in transcendental philosophy; the second section investigates Kant’s pre-critical adoption of the synthetic method and the problem of its imitation in (transcendental) philosophy; the third section reveals in a new and systematic manner how Kant integrates the mathematical and Newtonian methods in his critical project; taking the previously mentioned sections as an experiment, the final section reevaluates the relationship between heuristics and methodology, emphasizing its implications for transcendental philosophy as well as for any perspectives on Kant’s program.