Immanuel Kant

This passage discusses the German philosopher Immanuel Kant.

Lexile Level: 880L

Categories: People & Places

Immanuel Kant was a German philosopher. He lived from April 22, 1724 to February 12, 1804. After studying philosophy and working as a lecturer, he became a professor of logic and metaphysics at the University of Konigsberg when he was 45 years old. Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy that studies the nature of the world. Through his writings and his teaching he became known as a major philosopher of the Enlightenment. He separated the universe into the knowable and the unknowable. He formulated ideas about appearances and reality. Kant is famous for his moral principle called the categorical imperative. "Act only according to that maxim by which you can at the same time will that it would become a universal law." In other words, act rationally, not out of personal desires or motivations. Kant also wrote about religion, morals, aesthetics, and politics. His writings continue to influence thinkers and philosophers today.