Immanuel Kant
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Immanuel Kant | |
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| Born | 22 April 1724 |
| Died | 12 February 1804 |
| Nationality | Prussian (German) |
| Occupation | Philosopher |
| Known for | Critical philosophy; epistemology; moral philosophy |
| Notable work | Critique of Pure Reason; Critique of Practical Reason; Critique of Judgment |
Immanuel Kant (1724–1804) was a German philosopher whose work marks a turning point in Western philosophy. He sought to resolve longstanding disputes between rationalism and empiricism by examining the conditions under which knowledge, experience, and moral judgment are possible.
Kant’s philosophy is often described as “critical” because it investigates the limits and structure of human reason rather than attempting to describe reality independently of cognition.
Early life and education
Immanuel Kant was born in Königsberg, Prussia, where he spent nearly his entire life. He studied philosophy, mathematics, and the natural sciences at the University of Königsberg.
After completing his studies, Kant worked as a private tutor before securing an academic position, eventually becoming a professor of logic and metaphysics.
Critical philosophy
Kant’s most influential work, Critique of Pure Reason, examined how knowledge is possible. He argued that experience is shaped by innate structures of the mind, such as space, time, and categories of understanding.
According to Kant, humans can know phenomena—things as they appear—but not noumena, or things as they are in themselves.
Moral philosophy
In ethics, Kant proposed that moral action is grounded in rational duty rather than consequences or emotion. He formulated the concept of the categorical imperative, which evaluates actions based on their universalizability.
Kant argued that moral agents must be treated as ends in themselves, not merely as means.
Aesthetics and judgment
In Critique of Judgment, Kant addressed aesthetics and teleology. He analyzed judgments of beauty and the experience of the sublime, proposing that aesthetic judgment involves a free play of cognitive faculties.
This work also explored how humans interpret purpose in nature without attributing objective design.
Later life
Kant continued teaching and writing well into old age. He followed a highly regular daily routine and became known for his disciplined lifestyle.
He died in 1804 in Königsberg.
Legacy
Immanuel Kant’s philosophy has had lasting influence across epistemology, ethics, metaphysics, and political theory. His work shaped later philosophical movements, including German idealism, phenomenology, and analytic philosophy.
Kant is widely regarded as one of the most influential philosophers in the history of Western thought.