Essay 1: Introduction to Kant's Philosophy

Immanuel Kant, an influential figure in Western philosophy, revolutionized the way

we perceive and understand the world. Born in 1724 in Königsberg, Prussia (now
Kaliningrad, Russia), Kant's philosophical inquiries delved into metaphysics,
epistemology, ethics, and aesthetics. One of his most significant contributions is
his Critique of Pure Reason, where he sought to reconcile rationalism and
empiricism, two prevailing philosophical traditions of his time. Kant argued that
knowledge is not solely derived from sensory experience or pure reason but is
instead a synthesis of both. This essay will provide an overview of Kant's
philosophy, focusing on his concepts of the noumenal and phenomenal worlds, the
categorical imperative, and his ideas on human autonomy.