Can Kant Save the Day?
Continuing the debate on Buridan's Ass
Read ‘Descartes, Spinoza, and the Buridan's Ass’ before reading this.
Cartesians and Spinozans long debated,
Buridan's Ass stuck in a quandary state;
The problem great, "if both are equidistant,
How can the donkey ever choose a route?"
But Kant, he came to save the day,
He told us clearly what must be the way:
"The will, not reason, makes the choice,
For that is how our freedom lies."
So if you're ever stuck in doubt,
And cannot figure what to do,
Just listen to your heart and mind,
And let your will come shining through.
The ass can think something through
And that is how he'll find his way
To act on what he knows is right,
And liberty will light his way.
And when he does, he'll be certain
He'll have the knowledge that transcends
Not just opinion or belief
But the knowledge comes from synthetic a priori judgments.
Kant has shown us all
The third way to knowledge
It's not just reason or the senses
But the power of the will, that brings us certainty.
Oh, poor ass,
Hold Kant's hand tight,
And you will find the way
To end your plight.
Or will you?
To be continued,
As Descartes and Spinoza think of replies.
Loved this one