Kantian Humility ' Our Ignorance of Things in Themselves '

Rae Langton presents a fresh interpretation of Kant's doctrine of "things in themselves," distinguishing between intrinsic and relational properties of substances. She argues that Kant's assertion of our ignorance regarding these intrinsic properties is a form of epistemic humility rather than idealism. This perspective not only defends Kant's scientific realism but also positions his distinction between primary and secondary qualities as more robust than contemporary theories. Langton effectively addresses the critique that Kant's concept is inherently untellable, offering clarity to his philosophical stance.