Immanuel Kant: A Profound and Original Enlightenment Thinker
Early Life and Education
Immanuel Kant was born on April 22, 1724, in Königsberg, Prussia. His father was a saddler, and his mother was the daughter of a local pietist minister. Kant received a traditional education at the Collegium Fridericianum in Königsberg and later studied theology at the University of Königsberg.
Philosophical Career
After graduating from university, Kant pursued an academic career. He taught logic, metaphysics, and natural science at the University of Königsberg. In 1781, he published his groundbreaking work, Critique of Pure Reason. This work revolutionized philosophy by challenging the traditional view of human knowledge and metaphysics.
Central Enlightenment Thinker
Kant is considered one of the central thinkers of the Enlightenment. He argued that reason is the source of human knowledge and that the mind actively shapes our experience of the world. He also developed a moral theory based on universal principles of reason, known as the categorical imperative.
Influence and Legacy
Kant's philosophy had a profound impact on Western thought. He is considered one of the most influential philosophers of all time, and his ideas continue to be debated and discussed today. His work has influenced diverse fields including epistemology, ethics, metaphysics, and political philosophy.
Later Life and Death
Kant lived a life of intellectual rigor and simplicity. He never married or traveled outside of his hometown. He died on February 12, 1804, in Königsberg, at the age of 79. His grave is located in the Königsberg Cathedral.
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