Noumenon
Noumenon
(Gr. noumenon) In KantAn object or power transcending experience whose existence is theoretically problematic but must be postulated by practical reason. In theoretical terms Kant defined the noumenon positively as “the object of a non-sensuous intuition,” negatively as “not an object of the sensuous intuition;” but since he denied the existence of any but sensuous intuitions, the noumenon remained an unknowable “x”. In his practical philosophy, however, the postulation of a noumenal realm is necessary in order to explain the possibility of freedom. See Kantianism. — O.F.K.