We have now not merely explored the territory of pure understanding, and carefully surveyed every part of it, but have also measured its extent, and assigned to everything its rightful place. This domain is an island, enclosed by nature itself within unalterable limits. It is the land of truth—enchanting name!—surrounded by a wide and stormy ocean, the native home of illusion, where many a fog bank and many a swiftly melting iceberg give the deceptive appearance of farther shores, deluding the adventurous seafarer ever anew with empty hopes, and engaging him in enterprises which he can never abandon and yet is unable to carry to completion. Before we venture on this sea, to explore it in all directions and to obtain assurance whether there be any ground for such hopes, it will be well to begin by casting a glance upon the map of the land which we are about to leave, and to enquire, first, whether we cannot in any case be satisfied with what it contains—are not, indeed, under compulsion to be satisfied, inasmuch as there may be no other territory upon which we can settle; and, secondly, by what title we possess even this domain, and can consider ourselves as secured against all opposing claims. (Goetschel 329)37
The production of knowledge in this passage is synonymous with an act of territorial appropriation and settlement. From the outset, the passage establishes the tools of the colonist as those of the knowledge-seeker. The island has been “surveyed” and “measured,” categorization has been deployed, a “map” has been drawn, and from cartography Kant swiftly moves to questions of “title,” “possession,” and “opposing claims.” Goetschel draws the inevitable conclusion:
“The remarkable news of this passage…is that colonization is what we are always already doing when we set out to determine the grounds and limits of reason. Colonization, Kant’s narrative illustrates, takes place the moment our epistemological subject acts, that is, produces knowledge. Knowledge is a result of colonization; it takes colonization as its model, even if, and especially if, it aims to be critical of its own procedural ramifications.” (Goetschel 329)
Following Goetschel’s argument, the production of knowledge and the possession of territory are interdependent if not interchangeable symbolic actions. At the same time, the Island of Truth is itself a heliotrope: a metaphor, and thus constantly deferring truth even in its ongoing pursuit.
