Ethics (ePub)

Immanuel Kant (1724-1804), a central figure in modern philosophy, left an indelible mark on ethics, epistemology, and metaphysics. Born in Königsberg, East Prussia (now Kaliningrad, Russia), Kant spent his professional life as a university professor there. His critical approach to philosophy challenged previous schools of thought and established him as a towering philosopher of the Enlightenment. While he authored several significant books, his contributions to ethics are especially notable. In his groundwork for the metaphysics of morals, Kant introduces the concept of the categorical imperative-a principle dictating that one should act only according to that maxim whereby they can, at the same time, will that it should become a universal law. This scholarly leap created a new framework for moral philosophy, emphasizing duty and rationality. Kant's rigor in ethical inquiry sought to distill actions down to their moral worth, independent of consequences or personal inclinations. His emphasis on autonomy and reason above empiricism or sentiment has cemented his legacy as one of the most important figures in Western philosophy. Kant's influence extends beyond 'Ethics,' percolating through other works such as 'Critique of Pure Reason,' 'Critique of Practical Reason,' and 'Critique of Judgment,' where he further explores the faculties of human reason and aesthetics. His distinct prose and complex ideas continue to be studied and admired in contemporary philosophical discourse.