Foundations of Modern Philosophy: From Descartes to Kant

The Dawn of Modernity: A Philosophical Shift

The modern era, beginning in the Renaissance in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries and culminating in the Eighteenth-Century Enlightenment, marked a significant departure from traditional thought. Modernity is characterized by the decline of the Christian conception of the world. Modern philosophy developed a series of ideas and concepts that were incompatible with Christian thought. The idea of modernity is fundamentally an idea of progress, whereas Christianity is rooted in the idea of humanity. Enlightenment philosophers believed that history was a march towards the realization of an increasingly rational and infinite life.

Reason: A Cornerstone of Modern Thought

Reason emerged as a key idea and defining feature of modern philosophy and the modern world. The criterion for truth was sought in the evidence of reason. A great characteristic of this era was its spirit of adventure and its displeasure with the establishment. In the history of philosophy, this spirit of adventure and break with the past is clearly expressed in the philosophy of René Descartes (1596-1650), widely known as the father of modern philosophy.

René Descartes and the Birth of Rationalism

Descartes sought the rational principles that should guide, order, and regulate all knowledge, from which notions about the world and about God could be derived. For this reason, Descartes is regarded as the founder of rationalism. Expressing the core concerns of modernity, Descartes defined philosophy as the study of wisdom, encompassing the conduct of life, the preservation of health, and the mastery of all arts. This idea of philosophy encapsulated the ideals of modern man: an attachment to life, a spirit of invention, and a drive for transformation, reflecting an immanentist view of humanity.

Enlightenment Thinkers and Their Impact

In general, the eighteenth-century thinkers known as the Enlightenment philosophers were not systematic philosophers. Their reason, defended with such enthusiasm, was dynamic and active, intended to criticize tradition and lay the foundations for a new social and political order. Within this line are the following philosophers:

• Voltaire (1694-1778)
• Montesquieu (1689-1755)
• Diderot (1713-1784)
• d'Alembert (1717-1783)
• Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778)

Jean-Jacques Rousseau: The Rise of Romanticism

Rousseau holds the distinction of turning away completely from the mindset of his eighteenth-century colleagues, who believed reason was paramount. Yet, Rousseau argued that the most important element is feeling, prioritizing emotion over reason. For this, Rousseau is known as the founder of Romanticism.

Immanuel Kant: Redefining Philosophy

Among the eighteenth-century philosophers, Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) stands out. Kant has the merit of having surpassed the old metaphysics, whose sole goal was the study of God, the world, and the soul. For Kant, philosophy became a profound reflection on human culture, encompassing science, art, morality, and religion.