Most philosophers have been sought out a priori knowledge which is opposed a posteriori or empirical knowledge and given the pecular place to it. In particular, Kant argued that a priori knowledge must be necessary and universal.
But relations of the...
Most philosophers have been sought out a priori knowledge which is opposed a posteriori or empirical knowledge and given the pecular place to it. In particular, Kant argued that a priori knowledge must be necessary and universal.
But relations of them are not so simple as he thought. A priori knowledge, I think, must be but just not universal, some necessary truths and universal truths could be known empirically. This thesis can be supported by S.A.Kripke. According to Kripke, it is possible to be necessary and empirical propositions. Also if not universal, it is possible to be known a priori. Some proposition can be known a priori not from universal one but from particular one.
Meaning of a priori knowledge depends on the nature of apriority, necessity and university. Therefore Kant's assertion that a priori knowledge must be necessary and universal is incomplete. In addition, since W.V.Quine refuted the distinction between a priori and a posteriori, we can suppose that systems of knowledge give a different meaning to a priori knowledge. Thus even though not satisfied with its nature, Kant's account presents important natures of it.