According to Kant, what allows us to have a realist theory of depth perception?

Kant proposed that our understanding of the world is grounded in innate categories of thought, which shape our perceptions and experiences. In the context of depth perception, Kant argued that these innate categories are crucial for processing sensory information and making sense of spatial relationships.

Kant believed that depth perception is not solely a product of external stimuli or learned associations; rather, it involves inherent cognitive structures that allow us to interpret and organize visual information. These structures give rise to a realist theory of depth perception, enabling us to perceive three-dimensional space accurately despite the two-dimensional nature of retinal images.

This perspective highlights the interplay between our biological predispositions and our sensory experiences, suggesting that while environmental cues play a role in perception, it is fundamentally our innate cognitive framework that facilitates a coherent understanding of depth.