What is Provisional Possession

Datos Bibliográficos

ID20510690
AutoresHongjian Tan (University of St Andrews, autor de correspondencia)
Año2025
Volumen30
Número3
Páginas467-486
Fecha de publicación2025-09-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaKantian Review (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1369-4154 • E-ISSN: 2044-2394
EditorialCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s1369415425100794
OpenAlexW4412389636
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas1
Referencias citadas20

The concept of provisional possession in Kant presents a significant interpretative challenge. Scholars agree that prior empirical possession must be rationalized but have struggled to identify a form of omnilaterality within the state of nature. I propose understanding provisionality through the Pure Concept of Understanding of Possession (PUP) – a unilateral yet normative framework that rationalizes empirical possession based on temporal priority. Possession understood through PUP serves as a precursor to intelligible possession within the state of nature. To support this account, I first demonstrate that intelligible possession starts from empirical possession, thereby requiring an explanation of the transition from the latter to the former. I then argue that provisional possession unfolds in two distinct steps: first, prior empirical possession acquires an empirical title through the postulate of practical reason, which confers normative significance on temporal priority; second, PUP abstracts from empirical conditions, facilitating the progression towards a rational title

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