Kant’s Notion of Schema and its Basis in Linguistic Analysis

Abstract

The use of Kantian schemata as valuable theoretical elements (constructs) in the explication of our cognitive architecture has been for some time a recurring topic in the philosophy of mind. The relevancy of schemas and processes of schematization as organizing principles of language structures has been repeatedly pointed out in linguistic theory, especially within the framework of cognitive linguistics. In this paper we discuss how Kant's notion of the schematization of the mind, as discussed in his Critique of Pure Reason, i.e. the central notion of the schema, provides us with relevant insights into a novel critical approach to schematization in linguistics. At the same time, we strive to show that linguistic analyses provide a corroboration and enrichment of Kant's theoretical philosophy by means of linguistic data, reinforcing Kant's position with linguistic arguments and thus making him relevant in contemporary linguistic discussions.