The Status Of "Thing-in-itself" In Kant's Philosophy

"Thing-in-itself" plays an important role in Kant's philosophy. As the foundation of other theories, it runs through the whole Kant's philosophy. It is not only the home of Kant's epistemology, but also the door to ethics. Only comprehending "thing-in-itself can we understand Kant's philosophy deeper.Kant is influenced by some theories, especially by the theories of empiricism and rationalism, then he puts forward "thing-in-itself. There are many differences between empiricism and rationalism, mainly focusing on source, way and result of recognition. Their long stalemate and development make firm basis for German Classical philosophy. Because of their one-sidedness, empiricism and rationalism finally go to the dead end. In Kant's opinion, empiricism and rationalism admit that recognition conforms to object. Kant will invert this, he will make object conform to recognition. So, Kant reinterprets the object of recognition.The contents of "thing-in-itself are very complex. It contains three meanings in epistemology. Firstly, it is the source of sensibility. Kant thinks because "thing-in-itself exists, object can influence our sense to generate sensation. If there were no "thing-in-itself, sensibility wouldn't occur, experience matter wouldn't be offered, and recognition wouldn't start. Secondly, it is the limitation of recognition. Kant thinks we cannot approach "thing-in-itself though it does exist. So its existence means limitation of recognition, and it is the mark that recognition cannot exceed. Thirdly, it is the idea of reason. Kant thinks human being cannot know "thing-in-itself, but it can exist as object of thinking. "Thing-in-itself has profound significance. It is the basis of phenomenon,if there is no "thing-in-itself, no phenomenon then. While human being can only know the phenomenon and they cannot know "thing-in-itself. "Thing-in-itself means all kinds of possibilities, and phenomenon is only one of them. The phenomenon which human being knows is known by their ability. There are many aspects of "thing-in-itself that human being cannot reach. Because of human being's own limitation, they cannot know "thing-in-itself. "Thing-in-itself tells the human to recognize his own limitation, to be in awe, and to keep the down-to-earth style."Thing-in-itself has great influence on later philosophy. This paper mainly analyses the influence on Hegel, which contains Hegel's critique and improvement to "thing-in-itself. We can understand "thing-in-itself distinctly from this paper.