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Kant - A Biography

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Published in Kant: A Biography Manfred Kuehn

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[Image of Immanuel Kant with alt text "A portrait of Immanuel Kant, the renowned German philosopher."}

Immanuel Kant was one of the most important philosophers in the history of Western thought. His work has had a profound impact on our understanding of knowledge, ethics, and metaphysics. In this biography, Manfred Kuehn provides a comprehensive and accessible account of Kant's life and work.

Early Life and Education

Immanuel Kant was born in Königsberg, Prussia, on April 22, 1724. His father was a saddler, and his mother was a devout pietist. Kant was a sickly child, but he showed great intellectual promise at an early age. He attended the University of Königsberg, where he studied philosophy, mathematics, and natural science.

Kant: A Biography

by Manfred Kuehn

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Print length	:	544 pages

Career

After graduating from university, Kant worked as a tutor and then as a private lecturer. In 1770, he was appointed to the chair of logic and metaphysics at the University of Königsberg. He held this position for the rest of his life.

Kant's philosophical work is divided into two main periods: the pre-critical period and the critical period. The pre-critical period includes his early work on metaphysics, natural science, and ethics. The critical period includes his three great works: the Critique of Pure Reason (1781),the Critique of Practical Reason (1788),and the Critique of Judgment (1790).

Philosophy

Kant's philosophy is known for its rigor and its focus on the limits of human knowledge. In the Critique of Pure Reason, Kant argues that we can only know things as they appear to us, not as they are in themselves. He also argues that the mind plays an active role in structuring our experience of the world.

In the Critique of Practical Reason, Kant develops a theory of ethics based on the idea of duty. He argues that we should act according to the moral law, even if it requires us to sacrifice our own interests.

In the Critique of Judgment, Kant develops a theory of aesthetics and teleology. He argues that beauty is subjective, but that it is also objective in the sense that it is based on the harmony of the mind. He also argues that the world is a zweckmässig einrichtung, or a "purposive arrangement."

Legacy

Kant's philosophy has had a profound impact on Western thought. His work has been praised by philosophers such as Hegel, Fichte, and Schopenhauer. It has also been criticized by philosophers such as Nietzsche, Kierkegaard, and Heidegger. However, there is no doubt that Kant is one of the most important and influential philosophers in history.

Why Read This Biography?

Manfred Kuehn's biography of Kant is the most comprehensive and accessible account of Kant's life and work available. It is essential reading for anyone interested in understanding the thought of one of the most important philosophers in history.

Immanuel Kant was a brilliant philosopher who made significant contributions to our understanding of knowledge, ethics, and metaphysics. His work continues to be studied and debated today. Manfred Kuehn's biography of Kant is an essential resource for anyone interested in learning more about this great thinker.

Kant: A Biography

by Manfred Kuehn

4.6 out of 5