For although for expansion of the role of the understanding in the field of pure cognitions a priori, hence as a doctrine, philosophy seems entirely unnecessary or rather ill suited, since after all its previous attempts little or no territory has been won, yet as critique, in order to avoid missteps in judgment (lapsusjudici)d in the use of the few pure concepts of the understanding that we have, phi losophy with all of its perspicacity and art of scrutiny is called up (even though its utility is then only negative).