Kant and the a priori principles of natural science

Abstract

This paper considers the kantian statement that the natural science, the same as the mathematics, it contains synthetic a priori judgments as principles. However, a comparative study among the principles of both sciences, as well as of the foundations of their constitution, it throws the primary result that it is only possible to speak properly of a priori principles in the mathematics, maintaining for those of the natural science a different status. The explanation of the nature and way of construction of these last ones will show that Kant was characterizing a procedure common in the science of the XVIII century, and that today it can still be read in the standard scientific practice.