Abstract

In this paper, via Kant’s understanding of Grenze (boundary) and Schranke (limit) it is proposed that these concepts offer an appropriate distinction for describing the structure of philosophical thought. In this respect, it is claimed that the Grenze and Schranke distinction gives efficient answers to the philosophy of philosophy (metaphilosophy) debates. For instance, concerning “what is philosophy?” many answers have been given such as “philosophy means being on the road”, “philosophy is to reveal what kind of things exist ”, “philosophy is the activity of clarifying thoughts”, “ philosophy is a quest for the problems of the world” and so on. Thus, it is suggested that Grenze and Schranke distinction should hold all these answers. Likewise, many questions such as “what is philosophy for?”, “how should philosophy be done?”, “how do philosophical questions arise?” can be clarified by mentioning the boundaries and limits. As will be understood, all the questions mentioned above are about determining the scope of philosophical activity. The scope is dual. The first scope is the limitation area in which all discussions are put. The second scope is the boundaries area. This is the horizon that provides the philosopher's conceptual equipment. It is this field in which the philosopher exposes his or her own utilities, by which he or she determines and organizes, and what kind of things he or she is interested in. Thus, the distinctions of philosophical thoughts can be established through modifying limits and drawing new boundaries. In this context, Kant's distinction between Grenze and Schranke is remarkable in terms of determining the field of knowable and the field of thinkable. Kant allegorizes the knowable field to an island and the thinkable field to a sea that includes the island. The island can be known with its boundaries and the sea can be thought with limitations. This distinction also shows the field of philosophical fictions and metaphysics, and explains the vastness of thinking in the face of knowing. However, the field where Kant claims to be able to think only with his limitations has been arranged as a field that can be known by the followers such as Hegel. Behind this variation is the introduction of new limitations instead of Kant's. Thus, boundary and limit are concepts that need to be emphasized in order to understand the structure of the philosophy activity.