Kant and Skepticism (chapter)

In this paper I want to sketch an account of the role of skepticism in Kants critical philosophy. The critical philosophy set forth in the Critique of Pure Reason (henceforth: the Critique) grew from and responds to a complex set of philosophical concerns. Among these two of special importance are concerns to address skepticism and to develop a reformed metaphysics. This much is widely recognized. However, it is a fundamental thesis of this paper that those projects belong tightly together, in the following sense: The types of skepticism which really originated and motivate the critical philosophy are ones which target metaphysics; and what originated and motivates the critical philosophy's reform of metaphysics is above all the goal of enabling it to withstand skepticism.