The Possibility of Metaphysics in Averroes and Kant

Ashraf Hassan Mansour

Associate Professor, Department of Philosophy, University of Alexandria
Abstract

Kant denied the possibility of Metaphysics as a Science, depending on his distinction
between Phenomena and Noumena, and on his theory of knowledge that states that the
legitimate science is based on sensual intuition and empirical experience. On those bases
Kant stated that Metaphysical objects (Soul, World, God) are not accessible to sense
perception nor subject to experience. He dealt with the three pseudo-sciences of
Metaphysics as Transcendental Illusions, that is Rational Psychology, Rational
Cosmology, and Rational Theology. He judged that the inferences in those sciences are
dialectical, and described the modes of thinking in them as paralogisms, antinomies, and
Illusory inferences respectively. Whereas Kants critique of Metaphysics comes close to
Averroes critique of Kalams metaphysical-dialectical arguments, especially to
Averroes critique of the fallacious inference of the unknown based on the known,
Averroes position regarding the possibility of Metaphysics differed completely from
Kants.
Averroes defended the scientific status of Metaphysics by arguing for the immanence of
the separate substances in empirical reality, the unity of Metaphysics and Natural Science
regarding their method and their subject matter, differing only in questions and problems,
and by extending causality and natural necessity to the celestial realm. Above all,
Averroes succeeded in differentiating between Dialectics and the Demonstrative method
in Metaphysics, and in pointing out the cause of error in metaphysical investigations.
What seems as a dialectical character of metaphysical problems is due to mixing common
unexamined beliefs with primary statements, and putting religious doctrines that have
only practical purpose as targets for demonstration, mixing thereby scientific
investigation with practical purposes. Whereas Kant reduced all metaphysics to dialectics
and regarded every metaphysical quest as dialectical by nature, Averroes distinguished
clearly between them and pointed to the suitable role of dialectics within metaphysical
investigation, that is, in correcting the erroneous opinions before entering to metaphysical
investigation.