The ‘Introduction’ to the Critique of Pure Reason and the Commentary to Boethius’ De Trinitate of Saint Thomas Aquinas

Abstract

Kant's "Introduction" to the Critique of Pure Reason and questions 5 and 6 of Saint Thomas Aquinas's Commentary on Boethius' De Trinitate represent a prelude to the nature of science and metaphysics. Nevertheless, Aquinas does not envisage a rationalist metaphysics, rightly criticized by Kant, but a knowledge that continues the physical, and not the mathematical thinking. This different modus sciendi of metaphysics and mathematics, shows the limited scope of Kantian metaphysical criticism of the philosophia perennis.