Work · Immanuel Kant
The Only Possible Argument in Support of a Demonstration of the Existence of God
Kant criticizes traditional proofs and seeks an argument grounded in the conditions of possibility itself.
Understanding the text
The work predates the Critique; its position on rational theology would change substantially.
Key points
- 01
Existence
Existence does not add an ordinary property to a thing’s definition.
- 02
Possibility
The argument asks what makes the real content of our concepts possible.
- 03
Natural order
Worldly regularity raises questions that the design argument alone cannot settle.
How to read it
Compare the account of existence with the later refutation of the ontological proof. Continuity of vocabulary does not mean Kant retained the same theological conclusion.
Editions & sources
Summaries and key points are original editorial interpretations. They accompany reading the work and do not replace an edition of the text. Editorial method ↗
1763
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