Do you think that "Theory without praxis is empty, but praxis without theory is blind?"?

Question

This is a take on a famed saying expressed by Kant. Praxis here refers to "practice."

Hello, I am aware of what Kant actually said. The quote I posted is a "take" or play on his saying. Certain philosophers have used the saying about theory and praxis to argue that philosophy must be practical and theoretical. A philosophy that is not applied to lived existence is not worth much. So, please do not say that I misquoted Kant. I did no such thing. Thank you.

Answer 1

no.

although theory with praxis is certainly more common, and often preferred, theory without praxis, i think, could be argued to have some intrinsic value (to some more than others). for if "theory with praxis" is the only theory not empty it is the act of putting a theory into practice that gives it its value or substance, and not the idea behind the theory, or the process of forming the theory as a conclusion to research, which i would think is also important.

praxis without theory is blind...i'm not so sure about this one. it certainly makes sense, but i suppose that to some praxis also carries with it some intrinsic value and could be seen as valuable outside of its relationship to theory, but i'm not sure that this would render it not "blind." this, i would think would be more a matter of opinion, based on how valuable one sees actions that are not based on a tangible truth.

Answer 2

"Thoughts without content
are void; intuitions without conceptions, blind."

You're quote is not quite "on the money". Kant is talking about sensory perception and that sensory perception has to be brought within a conceptual framework to make sense ("intuitions without conceptions, blind"). At the same time a conceptual framework, which applies to everything as all perceptions are abstracted out, needs actual perceptions to do anything ("Thoughts without content
are void").

This appears to me to be bang on!