Immanuel Kant (1724 – 1804)

Immanuel Kant was a German philosopher and one of the most influential thinkers in the history of Western philosophy. He was born on April 22, 1724, in Königsberg, Prussia (now Kaliningrad, Russia), and died on February 12, 1804, in the same city. Kant's works, which spanned ethics, metaphysics, epistemology, aesthetics, and political philosophy, are considered some of the most important and difficult to understand in the history of philosophy. In this article, we will explore the life and philosophy of Immanuel Kant.

Early Life and Education:

Kant was born into a pious Lutheran family in Königsberg, Prussia, which was then a part of the Kingdom of Prussia. His father was a harness maker, and Kant grew up in a modest household. Despite his father's desire for him to become a theologian, Kant became interested in philosophy at a young age. He attended the University of Königsberg, where he studied philosophy, mathematics, and physics. After completing his studies, Kant worked as a tutor and lecturer in Königsberg for several years.

Career and Major Works:

Kant's first major work, "Critique of Pure Reason," was published in 1781. The book is considered one of the most important works in the history of philosophy and is known for its critique of metaphysics and its examination of the limits of human knowledge. Kant argued that knowledge is limited to what can be experienced by the senses, and that beyond this, we cannot know anything with certainty. This idea became known as "Kant's Copernican Revolution," which shifted the focus of philosophy from the object to the subject.

Kant's second major work, "Critique of Practical Reason," was published in 1788. In this book, Kant argued that the only thing that has inherent value is a good will, which is a will that acts in accordance with the moral law. Kant believed that morality is based on the principle of the categorical imperative, which states that we should always act in such a way that our actions could be made into a universal law. In other words, we should only do what we would want everyone else to do in similar circumstances.

Kant's third major work, "Critique of Judgment," was published in 1790. In this book, Kant discussed aesthetics and teleology. He argued that beauty is not a property of an object but is a subjective response that arises from the interaction between the object and the perceiver. Kant also discussed teleology, which is the study of the purpose or design in nature. He argued that teleology is a necessary concept for understanding the natural world, but it cannot be proven through empirical evidence.

In addition to his major works, Kant wrote several essays and lectures on various topics, including religion, politics, and history. He was also a prominent figure in the German Enlightenment and was known for his liberal views on religion, politics, and education.

Philosophical Contributions:

Kant's philosophy had a profound influence on subsequent philosophical thought. His "Copernican Revolution" led to a new focus on the subject and paved the way for the development of phenomenology and existentialism. His idea of the categorical imperative has also been influential in the development of deontological ethics, which emphasizes the importance of following moral rules and duties regardless of the consequences.

Kant's views on aesthetics have also been influential. His emphasis on the subjective experience of beauty has led to the development of theories of aesthetics that focus on the perceiver rather than the object. His distinction between the beautiful and the sublime has also been influential, and his ideas about the role of art in society have contributed to the development of modern art theory.