250th birthday of Immanuel Kant - Germany / Federal Republic of Germany 1974 - 90 Pfennig

The philosopher Immanuel Kant was born on April 22, 1724 in Königsberg, where he died on February 12, 1804. After studying philosophy and mathematics, he was a tutor, habilitated and since 1770 professor of logic and metaphysics in Königsberg. Kant's philosophy is the conclusion and overcoming of the Age of Enlightenment and the beginning of most of the newer philosophical directions. The major works he wrote are: Critique of Pure Reason, Critique of Practical Reason, Critique of Judgment, Religion Within the Limits of Reason. According to his main doctrine, knowledge arises only by imagining the forms of our "mind" preceding all experience into the chaos of sensation which things produce in us. Therefore we know everything only as it appears in our forms, but not as it is in itself. Nor do we recognize the supersensible because it does not "touch" the senses. Consequently, the metaphysics of knowledge fails due to contradictions and fallacies. According to Kant, metaphysics is based on the categorical imperative: act in such a way that the maxim of your will can at any time be regarded at the same time as the principle of general legislation. Obliged to this, man must, in blind faith, proceed from the corresponding assumptions: freedom, immortality, God. In addition, Kant's ethics characterize self-legislation and rigid duty, which allows no regard for inclination or reward. Because actual religion contradicts these characteristics, Kant rejects them and allows them to be reduced only to the fulfillment of the moral commandments. Kant's criticism has greatly enriched the question of modern philosophy. (Source: Herders Volkslexikon)