Elastic force in Kant’s early works

Resumen

This paper argues that the notion of elastic force is an important and overlooked thread running through a number of Kant’s writings from 1754 to 1764. After presenting the historical context, I argue that the key aspects of Kant’s early understanding of physical elasticity can be found in On Fire (1755), and show how Kant attempts to explain a wide range of phenomena through elasticity. On my account, one aim of his account of physical monads is provide metaphysical grounds for elastic phenomena. Finally, I examine Kant’s hints that minds can be understood through an analogy with elastic physical phenomena.