Description
The great German philosopher Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) had astonishing conversational skills, was intelligently attentive to his frail physical constitution and lived with a single-minded dedication to the moral education of humanity. This concise biography highlights Kant as someone who embodied extreme intellectual ambition and unshakeable self-discipline. Robert Wicks explores the long-term influence of Kant's Pietistic upbringing, the initial frustrations in his search for intellectual fame, his impressive friendships and his reactions to momentous historical events such as the French Revolution. He also considers critically the accusations that Kant was sexist, antisemitic and racist, and describes Kant's final years along with his philosophical legacy. This is an accessible, illuminating account of Kant's complex philosophical ideas in the context of his life and times.
About the Author
Robert Wicks is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Auckland. Among other books on nineteenth-century philosophy, he is the author of Kant on Judgment (2007) and Introduction to Existentialism: From Kierkegaard to 'The Seventh Seal' (2020).
Reviews
"Written for the general reader, Wick's brisk biography of Kant gives us three valuable things: a sense of the man, a generous set of discussions of his writings, and the needed context - historical, philosophical, and scientific - to better appreciate why Kant's ideas were so important in his day and are still "a big deal" in our own." - Steve Naragon, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy, Manchester University, Indiana, and editor of Portraits of Kant
"Robert Wicks's splendid book reintegrates Kant's epochal philosophy into his remarkable life, illuminating both. Lucid, informative, imaginative and accurate, it is engaging for general readers and for students of Kant at any level." - Kenneth R. Westphal, Member of Academia Europaea and author of Kant's Critical Epistemology
Book Information
ISBN 9781836392514
Author Robert Wicks
Format Paperback
Page Count 192
Imprint Reaktion Books
Publisher Reaktion Books
About the Author
Robert Wicks is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Auckland. Among other books on nineteenth-century philosophy, he is the author of Kant on Judgment (2007) and Introduction to Existentialism: From Kierkegaard to 'The Seventh Seal' (2020).
Reviews
"Written for the general reader, Wick's brisk biography of Kant gives us three valuable things: a sense of the man, a generous set of discussions of his writings, and the needed context - historical, philosophical, and scientific - to better appreciate why Kant's ideas were so important in his day and are still "a big deal" in our own." - Steve Naragon, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy, Manchester University, Indiana, and editor of Portraits of Kant
"Robert Wicks's splendid book reintegrates Kant's epochal philosophy into his remarkable life, illuminating both. Lucid, informative, imaginative and accurate, it is engaging for general readers and for students of Kant at any level." - Kenneth R. Westphal, Member of Academia Europaea and author of Kant's Critical Epistemology
Book Information
ISBN 9781836392514
Author Robert Wicks
Format Paperback
Page Count 192
Imprint Reaktion Books
Publisher Reaktion Books
