Immanuel Kant

1724 — 1804 • Early Modern

Immanuel Kant is one of the most influential philosophers in Western history. His Critique of Pure Reason attempted to reconcile rationalism and empiricism, arguing that our experience is shaped by innate categories of understanding.

Kant's moral philosophy centers on the categorical imperative — the principle that one should act only according to rules that could be universalized. His work laid the groundwork for German Idealism and continues to shape debates in epistemology, ethics, and aesthetics.

Key Ideas

Categorical Imperative Transcendental Idealism Synthetic A Priori Duty Ethics Autonomy

Influenced By

Hume Leibniz Rousseau Newton

Influenced

Hegel Schopenhauer Rawls Modern Ethics

Notable Quotes

"Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law."
— Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals, 1785

"Two things fill the mind with ever new and increasing admiration and awe: the starry heavens above me and the moral law within me."
— Critique of Practical Reason, 1788