Kant’s Theory of the Sublime in Nature and His Concept of Nature

When we reflect on how man relates himself to Nature, we see that there arise two different positions. One is to set man against Nature, i.e., the dualistic concept of Nature; the other is to conceive man as a part of Nature, i.e., the non-dualistic concept of Nature. Of these two, Kant takes a dualistic position. In this essay, I shall discuss Kant’s aesthetic theory, especially his theory of the sublimity of Nature, in conjunction with his dualistic concept of Nature. I’ll show that Kant’s sublimity theory has several problems and that those problems are closely connected with his dualistic conception of Nature. Then I’ll show further that those problems can be successfully resolved in the non-dualistic concept of Nature. By doing so, I’ll suggest that the non-dualists’ understanding of Nature is more adequate