Immanuel Kant's Historical Context: Enlightenment and Prussian Rule

Immanuel Kant's Historical Context (18th Century)

Kant lived for much of the eighteenth century, a period of relative calm following the previous era called the Wars of Religion and preceding a series of Revolutionary Wars (American and French). In this interwar period, the European intellectual elite perceived a common mentality produced by a shared belief in a set of values that has passed into history with the name of the artwork.

The Intellectual Climate: Revolution of Minds

This common mentality, rather than producing political change, sought to achieve a general revolution in minds, illustrating the rulers and educating people so that they could improve the law and realize the idea of progress. This notion of revolution of thought and education was inserted in a dynamic account of the world, science, and history.

Major Events Coinciding with Kant's Works

With respect to Kant, the most important event that occurred during his time and coincided with the appearance of his major works is the French Revolution. Additionally, we are at the dawn of the Industrial Revolution (manifest in the Groundwork).

Enlightened Despotism and Absolute Monarchy

The most common form of government in the eighteenth century was an absolute monarchy that took the form of enlightened despotism. Despots maintained the divine origin of their power and used it to promote the development of the people, applying the ideas of the Enlightenment. But the people did not participate actively in this development; they were reflected upon as an object, represented by the famous phrase:

• "Everything for the people but without the people."

The widespread longing for peace led some enlightened thinkers, like Kant, to make proposals to achieve it. In this sense, Kant's reflections attempt to clarify the ethics of how the human mind could be educated rationally.

Prussian Rulers During Kant's Lifetime

Frederick William I: Development and Military

When Kant was born, Frederick William I reigned in Prussia. Under this monarch, the country achieved great internal development: healing the economy, strengthening its industry, and introducing compulsory basic teaching. He also enhanced the Prussian army to make it the first European power.

Frederick the Great: The Enlightened King

In 1740, he was succeeded by his son, Frederick the Great. He was an absolute monarch who had frequent contacts with French Enlightenment philosophers like Voltaire. Throughout his life, he promoted culture and education, reaching even greater heights than his father. He was the prototype of the enlightened king, providing for the people's welfare, but without their participation. He died in 1786.

Frederick William III: Wars and Suppression

The last monarch to coincide with Kant's time was Frederick William III. He tried to recover the economy and held various wars against France. He also participated in the suppression of European liberals.