Abstract

This article discusses the references to Kant made by Hintikka in his recent writings on epistemology and philosophy of science. Hintikka holds that Kant's argument concerning the justification of mathematical methods can be understood as a question concerning the legitimacy of the rule of "existential instantiation." He also holds that the difference between "surface information" and "depth information" in first-order languages throws light on the Kantian concept of "Ding an sich". It is argued that Hintikka's attitude reflects instead a specific philosophical standpoint, rather than a reformulation of Kantian concepts.