Affection and Influx of Matter

MARTÍNEZ, LUCIANA; PELEGRÍN, LAURA

Congreso; Kant's Dynamic theory of matter. International Conference; 2024

In the "Transcendental Aesthetics" of the Critique of Pure Reason, Kant introduces the distinction between form and matter. Matter is that which corresponds to sensation. Sensation is "the effect of an object on the representational capacity" (KrV, A20-B34). Matter affecting the receptive capacity produces sensation. Thus, while pure intuition involves the form of the phenomenon, sensations contain its matter (R 40, AA 14:119). Through matter, "we are given things in space and time" (A720-B748). Thus, at the beginning of the Critique, the concept of matter is associated with the problem of the receptivity of sensibility and the notion of affection. In line with this definition in the Aesthetics, in the “Anticipations of Perception", as well as elsewhere in his work, Kant defines matter as "the real in the phenomenon" (A581-B609). Matter is "the reality in the phenomenon (that which corresponds to sensation)" (A166-B207). In the Anticipations, Kant explains that matter exerts a degree of influx by filling an instant of time.On the other hand, in the Metaphysical Principles of the Science of Nature (MAN), Kant links the concept of matter with that of force. In MAN, Kant argues that matter not only occupies a place in space, as geometrical figures do, but also fills it. Matter is not only present in space but also exerts an action. The action by which matter fills space is the driving force. Matter, as the movable in space, exerts an influence by virtue of this movement. The variation in intensity responds to the power of matter to exert an influence. Thus, the perceived sensible qualities have force as their foundation, which by its action enables matter to have an intensive magnitude. Matter can be the real in sensation because matter fills a space by virtue of its force.In this context, the aim of this research is to explain the notion of affection in the Critique of Pure Reason in the light of the concept of force explained in MAN; in particular, on the basis of the developments in the Dynamics. We will argue that the notion of affection finds its foundation in the concept of influx. Our argument will proceed in three stages. First, we will analyse the notion of affect in Transcendental Aesthetics and in the Anticipations of Perception. Secondly, we will study the way in which matter fills a space by means of force. Finally, we will show that the notion of affection developed in the KrV can be explained by means of the concept of influx introduced in MAN.