Kant

Kant

“Act that your principle of action might safely be made a law for the whole world” (Immanuel Kant). Many in philosophical academia today will agree that Immanuel Kant is one of the most innovative thinkers of not only his time but throughout all of history. His contributions to metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and aesthetics have had a profound impact on almost every philosophical movement that followed him. I find it appropriate to give a brief biographical sketch of the scholar accompanied by an analysis of a few of his philosophical ideals. Also, in consideration of his vast influences, we shall discuss the magnitude of his arguments in philosophical studies of the present. Although Immanuel Kant is not considered by the common person of today to be of much veneration as is Plato, Newton, or Einstein; Kant’s rightful place on a pedestal marked “genius” is what I wish to defend through outlining his thoughts on the Categorical Imperative, giving supporting arguments, and refuting the criticisms of those who are not of the same mind as Kant.

Immanuel Kant was born in 1724 in Königsberg, the capital of Prussia at that time. He was the fourth of eleven children (five of them reached adulthood). Baptized 'Emanuel', he changed his name to 'Immanuel' after learning Hebrew. In his entire life, he never traveled more than a hundred miles from Königsberg. In his youth, Kant was a solid, albeit unspectacular, student. He was raised in a Pietist household that stressed intense religious devotion, personal humility, and a literal interpretation of the Bible. (Kuehn 54) Consequently, Kant received a stern education – strict, punitive, and disciplinary – that preferred Latin and religious instruction over mathematics and science. (Kuehn 55-74) Kant showed a great aptitude to study at an early age. He was first sent to Collegium Fredericianum and then enrolled at the University of Königsberg (where he would spend his entire career) in 1740, at the age of 16....