Basic Writings of Kant

The Basic Writings of Kant by Immanuel Kant, translated by F. Max Müller, is a collection of excerpts from some of Kant's most influential philosophical works. These excerpts provide a good introduction to Kant's central ideas on metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and aesthetics.

• Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) was a highly influential German philosopher who is considered the Father of modern philosophy.
• F. Max Müller (1823-1900) was a German philologist, mythologist, and orientalist who is known for his work on comparative religion and mythology. He was also a translator of Sanskrit texts.

The book is edited by Allen W. Wood, a renowned Kant scholar, who provides an introduction that helps to contextualize Kant's work and explain his key concepts.

Here are some of the important works included in Basic Writings of Kant:

• Critique of Pure Reason (1781): In this work, Kant argues that there are certain a priori forms of intuition and categories of understanding that structure our experience of the world. These forms and categories are not derived from experience, but rather make experience possible.
• Critique of Practical Reason (1788): In this work, Kant develops his theory of morality, which is based on the concept of the categorical imperative. The categorical imperative is a universal moral law that commands us to act in such a way that we could will our maxim (the principle behind our action) to become a universal law.
• Critique of Judgment (1790): In this work, Kant explores the nature of aesthetic judgment and teleological judgment. Aesthetic judgment is the faculty by which we judge something to be beautiful or sublime. Teleological judgment is the faculty by which we judge something to be purposive or designed.

The Basic Writings of Kant is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about Kant's philosophy. It is a challenging but rewarding read, and it can help you to develop a deeper understanding of some of the most important issues in philosophy.