Kant divides sublimity into mathematical sublimity and mechanical sublimity. He believes that the lofty objects of mathematics appear directly in our intuition, such as the vast starry sky, the turbulent sea and so on. The sublimity of mathematics can be said to be external, with the infinite volume of the object as the main feature.

Kant believes that the sublimity of mechanics is indirect and non-intuitive, and it can only be felt in the relationship between subject and object. For example, after being far away from the violent lightning danger, people as the main body transcend daily life and feel the vastness of heaven and earth and the magnificence of life. The sublimity of mechanics is characterized by the great power of objects, which lies in the great power or boldness of objects, which causes both fear and reverence. Kant said: "Nature is sublime when it is considered powerful in aesthetic judgment and has no coercive force on us.