Abstract
The present chapter explores a very specific theme concerning Husserl's relation to Kant, namely, the connection between the idea of (transcendental) synthesis and the notion of "identity" construed as its correlate. According to Husserl, the introduction of a transcendental conception of "synthesis" represents Kant's crucial contribution to the history of (modern) philosophy.
Now, in order to fully appreciate the significance of such claim, we will first have to explain in what sense Husserl takes "the determination of the identity of being" as the problem lying at the very heart of philosophy, notably, of its "Greek" origin. Accordingly, the present chapter will be divided into two parts: after discussing the way in which Plato tackles and addresses the question of the determination of the identity of being, we will switch to Kant and his "contribution" to the history of modern philosophy as Husserl understands it.
In this way, we will be able to ascribe to Kant a clear and specific position in the history of philosophy, which, as we firmly believe, can represent the starting point for any future attempt at discussing and shedding light on the relation between Kant and the father of phenomenology.