Noumenon: The antonym for phenomenon?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the term "noumenon" and its relationship to "phenomenon," particularly in the context of Immanuel Kant's philosophy. Participants explore the definitions and implications of these terms, as well as their usage in philosophical discourse.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether "noumenon" is indeed the correct term, referencing Kant's distinction between the thing-in-itself and phenomena.
  • Another participant notes that the term is primarily associated with Kant and suggests it may have originated with him.
  • A different viewpoint suggests that "noumenon" is more antithetical to "phenomenon" rather than simply an antonym.
  • One participant mentions that "thing-in-itself" is also a term used in relation to "noumenon," and connects it to Sartre's philosophy.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of the relationship between "noumenon" and "phenomenon," indicating that the discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing interpretations.

Contextual Notes

Some participants reference definitions and philosophical interpretations that may depend on specific contexts or interpretations of Kant's work, which are not fully explored in the discussion.

dekoi
Is it 'noumenon'?

...in the philosophy of Immanuel Kant, the thing-in-itself (das Ding an sich) as opposed to what Kant called the phenomenon—the thing as it appears to an observer. Though the noumenal holds the contents of the intelligible world, Kant claimed that man's speculative reason can only know phenomena and can never penetrate to the noumenon.

Is my understanding correct?

Please feel free to delete this thread after it has been answered (if you feel it serves little purpose) :smile: .
 
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I've only seen the word used in relation to Kant. Perhaps he made it up?

Here is the dictionary.com definition

In the philosophy of Kant, an object as it is in itself independent of the mind, as opposed to a phenomenon. Also called thing-in-itself.
 
Evo said:
Also called thing-in-itself.

Sounds like Sartre there.
 

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