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Immanuel Kant
(1724-1804)
Immanuel Kant, German philosopher, was born in Konigsburg April 22, 1724.
He entered the university there in 1740, enrolled for the study of
mathematics and physics. His studies were interrupted by the death of
his father, which left him in poverty. After he supported himself by
tutoring for 9 years, the kindness of a friend enabled him to resume
his studies, to graduate as a doctor and to qualify as a privatdocent.
He occupied this position for 15 years. His lectures widened from physics
to include much philosophy. Finally, after unsuccessful attempts, in
1770 he was given the chair of logic and metaphysics at Konigsburg. In
1781 his Kritik der reinen Vernunft, Critique of Pure Reason appeared,
and in 1783, his Prolegomena. After the appearance of the 2nd edition
of the Kritik in 1787, Kant became famous everywhere in German intellectual
circles, and his views were regarded as those of an oracle. From 1792-97
he was engaged in a struggle with the government concerning his religious
views. In 1794 he withdrew from society, and gave up all teaching except
for one public lecture course on logic. In 1797 Kant terminated a teaching
activity that had extended over 42 years. He died in Konigsburg on
February 12, 1804 near the end of his 80th year. Little more than five
feet tall, deformed in his right shoulder, his chest almost concave, Kant
had a weak constitution. He never married, and followed an unchanging
program of activities from youth to old age. For example, he never failed
to rise at 5 o'clock, studied for 2 hours, lectured for 2 more, and spent
the rest of the morning at his desk. He dined at a restaurant and spent
the afternoon in conversation with friends. He then walked for about an
hour -- a walk which for years followed exactly the same course, studied for
2 hours more, and retired between 9 and 10. He was a prolific reader,
especially in history, science, travel, and philosophy. He knew English
history and literature intimately, especially in the period of Queen Anne.
He read little of Goethe or Schiller, but often re-read Voltaire and
Rousseau. He had little interest in nature, and in 80 years never
traveled more than 40 miles from his native Konigsburg.
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