The Three Critiques (eBook)

Immanuel Kant (1724–1804) stands as a central figure in modern philosophy whose influence is deeply embedded in contemporary thought. Born in Königsberg (now Kaliningrad, Russia), Kant spent most of his lifetime in his hometown, where he made significant contributions to a number of philosophical disciplines. Kant's philosophical enterprise aimed to establish the limits of human understanding and to set out the conditions of possibility for knowledge. His seminal works, often referred to as 'The Three Critiques,' include the 'Critique of Pure Reason' (1781/1787), the 'Critique of Practical Reason' (1788), and the 'Critique of the Power of Judgment' (1790). In the 'Critique of Pure Reason,' Kant discusses the foundation of human knowledge, creating a dynamic between 'a priori' and 'a posteriori' knowledge and between analytic and synthetic judgments. The 'Critique of Practical Reason' is concerned with moral philosophy, where Kant outlines the concept of the categorical imperative, a central tenet of his ethical theory. The 'Critique of the Power of Judgment' addresses aesthetics and teleology, building a philosophical framework that connects nature with the realms of aesthetics and moral judgment. Kant's rigorous analysis and his commitment to the principles of Enlightenment—autonomy, reason, and the pursuit of knowledge—have cemented his legacy as one of the most respected thinkers in Western philosophy.