Kant on the Concept of 'Witz'

Abstract

The central aim of this essay is to portray Kant’s notion of 'Witz' as it unfolds from his 'Lectures on Anthropology', in a decisive stage of his intellectual evolution (1772–96). This aim is sub-divided into two parallel objectives: first, to sketch a brief history of the concept of 'Witz', thus showing how 'Witz' came to evolve from having a rational connotation to having an imaginative connotation, and how it came to be a pregnant philosophical issue, as well as an aesthetic principle. Secondly, to show how Kant read that singular course in the evolution of 'Witz'; how, in his view, 'Witz' and the power of judgement, imagination, and intellect are indeed opposed, but also how there is a necessity to unite both opposing parts; a convergence which is not only advantageous for both parts, but serves a greater purpose: to create an unsuspected link between imagination and understanding, as well as between philosophy and poetry.

Keywords

• kant
• witz
• power of judgement
• poetry