Pure Rational Critique

Author: Kant
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-04-01
Features: Kant's Critique of Pure Reason was published in 1781 and underwent significant revisions in its second edition in 1787. Academia holds both versions in almost equal regard. We do not speak for ourselves. However, regarding the matter at hand, we hope people will consider it not mere opinion but a cause; and we are certain that we are laying the foundation for the welfare and prestige of humanity, not for any school or viewpoint. Furthermore, we hope upright people will participate in this when convenient—for the sake of public affairs. Moreover, as everyone eagerly expects, do not imagine our revival as something infinite or beyond the human realm; accept it sincerely, for it truly marks the end of infinite error and the proper bounds of justice.
To commemorate the 200th anniversary of Kant's death, this most important work has now been published in advance as part of the Chinese translation series of Kant's Gesammelte Schriften. Similarly, to mark the 200th anniversary and due to the urgency, this standalone edition of Critique of Pure Reason has been published without the customary "translator's preface" or "notes," appearing purely in Kant's own words.
Here, let us briefly clarify the issue of versions. Kant's Critique of Pure Reason was first published in 1781 and underwent significant revisions in its second edition in 1787. Academia holds both versions in almost equal regard. When publishing a standalone edition, the international practice is to base it on the second edition, marking differences from the first edition through notes or appendices. This translation follows this common practice. That is, it is translated based on the 1968 "Akademie-Textausgabe" of the Prussian Royal Academy, with the second edition as the reference. Differences between the first and second editions, where the text is brief, are marked with footnotes, while longer differences are appended appropriately. Of course, some purely stylistic changes made by Kant in the first edition, which do not affect the Chinese translation, are not marked individually.
Translation is difficult; translating Kant is difficult; translating Kant's Critique of Pure Reason is even more so. The difficulty lies not only in Kant's writings themselves, nor only in his language and thought, but even more in the degree to which this work is familiar to us. During the translation process, the translator referred to existing Chinese translations and even directly adopted successful rendering methods from these versions in many places. The translator has always maintained the highest respect for the contributions of all predecessors and extends special thanks for incorporating their research findings.
The translator strives to innovate in the translation and understanding of Kant, offering his own insights on certain terms. However, aware of his limited scholarship and the saying "everyone has their own preferences," he warmly welcomes criticism from academia and readers.