Question

Can we know that we are breathing analytically/a priori?

P1: I exist (perhaps from the cogito, or just some intuition) as a human being

P2: Human beings must respirate to exist

C1: I am respirating

Answer 1

No, the act of breathing is a posteriori knowledge, not a priori.

Explanation:

While the premise "I exist" (P1) might be seen as a priori based on self-awareness or intuition, the deduction that "I am respirating" (C1) relies on empirical observation or sensory experience, making it a posteriori knowledge. The link between existence and respiration (P2) is based on empirical evidence and observation of biological functions rather than being self-evident through pure reasoning.