Question

Which among the following statement(s) is/are in conformity with Immanuel Kant’s notion of ‘synthetic a priori knowledge’?

• A. Our knowledge of mathematical truths is a priori
• B. ‘A straight line between two points is the shortest one’ is a synthetic proposition
• C. ‘The law of conservation of matter’ in Physics is a synthetic a priori principle
• D. Any object of sense is available purely as sensory awareness in human experience

Hint:

When studying Kant’s theory of knowledge, focus on understanding the distinction between a priori (independent of experience) and synthetic informative knowledge.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A, B, C

Kant’s concept of “synthetic a priori knowledge” refers to knowledge that is both informative (synthetic) and known independently of experience (a priori).
Step 1: Analyze synthetic a priori knowledge.
(A), (B), and (C) are consistent with Kant’s view that mathematical truths and certain geometrical propositions are known a priori, but they are still informative (synthetic) because they are not tautologies.
Step 2: Evaluate other options.
(D) Kant would argue that objects are not purely sensory but are shaped by our cognitive faculties.