Transcendental Aesthetic (Kant's Critique of Pure Reason)

Transcendental Aesthetic (Kant's Critique of Pure Reason)

From Why Theory by Why Theory

February 15, 2026 · 1h 14m

About this episode

Ryan and Todd discuss Kant's Transcendental Aesthetic and its philosophical significance, including its influence on Heidegger and Freud.

On this episode, Ryan and Todd return to Kant and discuss the Transcendental Aesthetic from his Critique of Pure Reason. The hosts work through a sketch of Kant's idea, why he's proposing it, and why even the form of its argumentation is significant for the history of philosophy. The hosts also work over the influence of this section on Heidegger and propose a possible influence on Freud. Later the pair try to mobilize Kant's conception of time and space through pop culture example which is often seen in psychoanalytic treatments of Freud and Lacan (and even some with Hegel) but much less with Kant.

People in this episode

Hosts: Ryan, Todd

Topics covered

  • Kant's philosophy
  • Transcendental Aesthetic
  • influence on Heidegger
  • influence on Freud
  • time and space
  • pop culture
  • psychoanalysis

Keywords

  • Kant
  • Transcendental Aesthetic
  • Heidegger
  • Freud
  • time
  • space
  • psychoanalysis
  • Critique of Pure Reason

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Critique of Pure Reason

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