Perpetual Peace: A Philosophical Sketch

Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) was a German philosopher who spent his life in Königsberg, or modern-day Kaliningrad. Kant’s parents were devout members of the Pietist branch of the Lutheran denomination. They raised Kant under the doctrine that religion is expressed internally through obedience and morality. His parents’ involvement in the church afforded Kant the opportunity to attend a Pietist school, where he learned about Latin classics. In 1740, Kant attended the University of Königsberg, where he studied theology. However, his attention was soon diverted by mathematics, physics, and philosophy. Although he grew up in a strictly religious household, Kant did not profess a particular faith as an adult. Instead, he explored how humans might replace religion with reason.

Kant’s life was remarkably consistent and disciplined. He was famous for his punctuality, to the point that his neighbors were said to set their clocks by his daily walks. Although he had several more lucrative offers, Kant stayed in Königsberg, living frugally—just as he preferred. After spending time as a private tutor, Kant finally landed a salaried position at the University of Königsberg in his 50s. His daily routine included waking at five in the morning, writing for three hours, lecturing for four hours at his alma mater, eating lunch at the same restaurant, walking along the same route of a park, and returning home at the same time each day.