The Life of Immanuel Kant | 3-Minute Philosophy | Peak Intrigue

Today, we shall delve into the world of the great philosopher, Immanuel Kant. He was born on April 22, 1724, in Königsberg, Prussia (now known as Kaliningrad, Russia). Kant was a highly influential philosopher of the Enlightenment period, renowned for his contributions to metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and aesthetics.

Kant spent most of his life in Königsberg, where he also taught at the University of Königsberg for over 40 years. In his free time, Kant enjoyed taking walks around the city and would often follow the same route every day, earning him the nickname "The Philosopher of the Walk."

One of Kant's most significant achievements was his Critique of Pure Reason, published in 1781. In this work, Kant explored the nature of knowledge and argued that all knowledge must be derived from experience and reason. He also introduced the concept of the "thing-in-itself," which refers to the reality beyond what we can perceive with our senses.

Kant's ethical philosophy is also noteworthy, as he believed in the concept of the "categorical imperative." This principle states that one should act according to a maxim that could be made into a universal law without contradiction. In simpler terms, one should only act in a way that they would be comfortable with everyone else acting in the same way.

Sadly, Kant's declining health forced him to retire from teaching in 1797. He passed away on February 12, 1804, at the age of 79, leaving behind a legacy of profound philosophical insights and a lasting impact on the field.

In conclusion, Immanuel Kant was a brilliant philosopher who made groundbreaking contributions to metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and aesthetics. His insights and ideas continue to shape our understanding of the world today, and we are lucky to have had such a brilliant mind among us. Thank you for tuning in, and I hope you have learned something new about the great Immanuel Kant!

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