Immanuel Kant
The Königsberg philosopher who asked what we can know, and told his readers to dare to think for themselves.
Books
Critique of Pure Reason1781His big question, what reason can know on its own and where it runs out. Slow going, and worth it.
- What is Enlightenment?1784
A few short pages from 1784, and the source of "Sapere aude!", dare to know.
Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals1785The short way into his ethics, and the book where the categorical imperative first appears.
Mentioned in
In praise of asking, part one
Answers got cheap, so where does a good question come from? The story starts with a parrot asking “What’s that?” in front of a mirror, and goes on to silent classrooms and an AI that never needs anything.