Abstract:

Imagination is considered as an instinct by Kant in his transcendental epistemology. As the cognitive transcendental factor，imagination is the intermediary between sensibility and intellectuality. It subjects to intellectuality to ensure the universal validity of knowledge. In aesthetic judgment，imagination is also the intermediary between concrete objects and intellectuality. However，it has much greater liberality which can make sure that beauty is a subjectively common psychological state rather than normative requirements for the objects. But imagination must be constrained by intellectuality so that people would not lose themselves in frenzy and blind faith. Imagination and intellectuality are in an unstrained and harmonious position. There is always a certain tension between them. Transcendental logic governs the concrete materials in imagination，thus guaranteeing the objectivity of knowledge，and the judgment of concrete objects is revealed by intellectuality through imagination，providing aesthetic judgment with considerable universality.

Key words: Kant, transcendental epistemology；imagination；intellectuality；aesthetic judgment