Lecture Notes: Immanuel Kant and His Philosophical Contributions

Introduction

• Immanuel Kant: Philosopher focused on morality outside traditional religion.
• Born in 1724 in Königsberg, Prussia (now Kaliningrad, Russia).
• Modest upbringing, father was a saddle maker.
• Became a professor in his 50s, known for living modestly.
• Died in 1804 in Königsberg.

Personal Life

• Deeply religious family background, but Kant did not hold conventional religious beliefs.
• Recognized the social and ethical contributions of religion.
• Physically frail and not conventionally attractive but sociable.
• Known for organized dinner parties with structured conversation.

Historical Context

• Wrote during the Enlightenment, a period of growing secularism.
• Essay: "What is Enlightenment?" (1784), noted the decline in Christianity.
• Aimed to replace religious authority with reason (human intelligence).

Philosophical Contributions

Categorical Imperative

• Core idea: Act according to a maxim that can be a universal law.
• A formal restatement of the "Golden Rule": Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
• Encourages seeing actions from a universal perspective, discouraging selfish actions.
• Example: Theft or infidelity would be unacceptable if universalized.

Treating People as Ends

• Restated categorical imperative: Treat people as ends in themselves, not as means.
• Replaces Christian command for universal love.
• Emphasizes justice and fair treatment of individuals.

Reason and Freedom

• Kant's view on government: Should ensure liberty as acting according to our best nature.
• True freedom: Acting under moral laws, not passions.
• Government as an institutionalization of rational elements within society.

Contributions to Art and Beauty

• Major work: "The Critique of Judgment" (1793).
• Art and beauty as key components of Kant's philosophy.
• Belief in beauty as a reminder of better selves, promoting disinterested appreciation.
• Art embodies ethical ideas, supporting philosophical objectives.

Legacy

• Kant's works were abstract and intellectual, promoting reason over religion.
• Goal: Strengthen rational parts of human nature against weaknesses.
• Developed a secular, rational approach to ethics akin to religious attempts at moral guidance.