---
title: "Kant | German philosophy | Thought Archive"
number: "046"
slug: "046-kant"
author: "Wenzi / 文子"
language: "en"
canonical: "https://tongzai.space/en/thought-archive/046-kant/"
is_primary_text: true
---

# Kant（German philosophy）



## Common research question

**Why is the thing in itself not directly knowable for Kant?**

Kant distinguishes appearances from things in themselves to ask how objects can be experienced through sensibility and understanding. This does not simply make the world unreal. The thing in itself is not a hidden object available to ordinary perception; the first Critique's limits of cognition must be distinguished from Kant's practical philosophy.

## Interpretive boundary

Do not conflate transcendental argument, empirical psychology, and practical reason.

## Archive evidence

- [E-13 ｜ Critique of Pure Reason A235/B294 etc.](#E-13)
- [E-14 ｜ Critique of Pure Reason A327/B384](#E-14)