Abstract

A reflection upon Husserl's notion of an "Idea in a Kantian sense" calls for an inquiry into the relationship between experience and infinity. This question is first considered in Kant's doctrine of antinomies. It is shown that, in the Critique of Pure Reason, infinity is held to be a mere idea, which, however, has an indispensable regulative function in experience. It is at this point that Kant is compared with Husserl, who, drawing upon the notion of regulative principle elaborated in the Critique of Pure Reason, conceives of a thing in its particular reality as an Idea in a Kantian sense. A majordifference between the two thinkers is particularly emphasized: Kant uses his analysis of the antinomies for justifying his distinction between the ' thing in itself and 'appearance'; Husserl, on the contrary, tries to overcome this opposition. It is argued forthat this difference between the two philosophers arises from two different notions of infinity: whereas Kant has a potential infinity in view, Husserl, who is familiar with Cantors mathematical and philosophical thoughts, relies upon a scientifically established form of actual, but nevertheless open infinity