Substance and Power

From Baumgarten to Kant

Abstract

This paper provides an overview of Baumgarten's philosophy from the perspective of Kant's evaluation and critique. The first section explores Kant's characterization of　Baumgarten as the "vortreffliche Analyst," highlighting the praise for the richness and precision of his Metaphysics. The second section delves into Kant's consistent criticism of Baumgarten’s ontology, particularly challenging the idea that "substance is power." Kant asserts that substance possesses power, pointing out a crucial distinction. By examining Kant's evolving views on substance, the section further elucidates how these criticisms contributed　to the development of Kant's critical philosophy. The third section introduces Baumgarten's ontology, evaluating Kant's critiques and the success of interpreting Baumgarten's Metaphysics.