Hans Kail

Hans Kail (1888-1971) was a German philosopher and psychologist. He is best known for his work on the psychology of thought, particularly his concept of "real relations" (Realrelationen).

Kail studied philosophy and psychology at the Universities of Berlin and Marburg. He received his doctorate in 1912 and subsequently worked as a lecturer and professor at various universities in Germany. He was a proponent of a realist epistemology, arguing that our thoughts can accurately represent the external world.

His theory of "real relations" posits that relationships are not merely mental constructs imposed upon things, but are objective features of the world. He believed that understanding these real relations was crucial for understanding the nature of thought and knowledge. This concept was influenced by phenomenology and Gestalt psychology.

Kail's work has been cited and discussed in the context of philosophical psychology, epistemology, and the history of German philosophy. His writings contribute to the understanding of how the mind interacts with and perceives reality.