Reason must approach nature in order to be taught by it. It must not, however, do so in the character of a pupil who listens to everything that the teacher chooses to say, but of an appointed judge who compels the witness to answer questions which he has himself formulated.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Kant suggests reason should interrogate nature like a judge questioning a witness, rather than passively accepting what nature reveals.
- In plain terms
- We should actively question nature with specific problems instead of just listening to it passively.
- What can you take from it?
- Approach learning with active questioning rather than passive observation.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Do you approach problems as a judge or a student?
- What questions are you too afraid to ask?
Another view
Sometimes passive observation yields discoveries that aggressive questioning misses.
More from Immanuel Kant
Reason does not work instinctively, but requires trial, practice, and instruction in order to gradually progress from one level of insight to another.
Permalink to quote #64 Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life.
Permalink to quote #66 Reason can never prove the existence of God.
Permalink to quote #63
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