Section 52
Original German
§ 52.
Hier ist nun das seltsamste Phänomen der menschlichen Vernunft, wovon sonst kein Beispiel in irgend einem andern Gebrauch derselben gezeigt werden kann. Wenn wir, wie es gewöhnlich geschieht, uns die Erscheinungen der Sinnenwelt als Dinge an sich selbst denken; wenn wir die Grundsätze ihrer Verbindung als allgemein von Dingen an sich selbst und nicht blos von der Erfahrung geltende Grundsätze annehmen, wie denn dieses eben so gewöhnlich, ja ohne unsre Kritik unvermeidlich ist: so thut sich ein nicht vermutheter Widerstreit hervor, der niemals auf den gewöhnlichen, dogmatischen Wege beigelegt werden kann, weil sowohl Satz als Gegensatz durch gleich einleuchtende klare und unwiderstehliche Beweise dargethan werden können — denn für die Richtigkeit aller dieser Beweise verbürge ich mich —, und die Vernunft sich also mit sich selbst entzweit sieht, ein Zustand, über den der Sceptiker frohlockt, der kritische Philosoph aber in Nachdenken und Unruhe versetzt werden muß.
Musean translation
Mouseia’s complete machine-assisted Musean translation, made directly from the complete German of the Prolegomena (AA IV 253–383, all §§1–60 and the Appendix), for fidelity, the steps of Kant’s argument, clarity and structure.
§ 52.
Here, then, is the strangest phenomenon of human reason, of which no example can be shown in any other use of it. If, as usually happens, we think of the appearances of the world of sense as things in themselves; if we assume the principles of their connection to be principles holding universally of things in themselves, and not merely of experience—as is equally usual and indeed unavoidable without our critique—then an unsuspected conflict emerges that can never be settled by the ordinary dogmatic path. For both thesis and antithesis can be demonstrated by equally evident, clear, and irresistible proofs—I vouch for the correctness of all these proofs—and reason thus finds itself divided against itself: a state in which the skeptic exults, but which must trouble the critical philosopher and set him thinking.
Plain English translation
Mouseia’s complete Plain English edition, made independently and directly from the same complete German text.
§ 52.
Here we have the strangest phenomenon of human reason. No example of it can be found in any other use of reason. Suppose we think of the appearances of the world of sense as things in themselves, as people usually do. Suppose we also take the principles connecting them to hold universally for things in themselves, and not merely for experience. This is just as usual, and without our critique it is even unavoidable. An unexpected conflict then emerges. It can never be settled in the usual dogmatic way, because both the proposition and its opposite can be demonstrated by equally evident, clear, and irresistible proofs. I guarantee the correctness of all these proofs. Reason thus finds itself divided against itself. The skeptic celebrates this state of affairs, but it must make the critical philosopher thoughtful and uneasy.
About this section
Section 52 is part of Prolegomena to Any Future Metaphysics by Immanuel Kant. This page sets the German original beside 2 direct-source translations, so any line can be checked against the source. It is section 60 of 72 in the work, which is kept in the European tradition.
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