Kant in 90 Minutes

Kant once strode the philosophical world like a colossus. Kant is the prelude to Hegel and then to Marx. Kant was once thought by many to be the culmination of all philosophy. Strathern does not deal in this work with the followers and successors of Kant, nor with his standing in the world of philosophy( if there is such a thing) today. He does provide background to Kant(The synthesis of the rationalism of Leibniz, Descartes, and of the empiricism of Locke, Hume) He does show how Kant made a critical move accepting the Humean claim that real knowledge about the character of reality could not be known. The Kantian maneuver of concentrating on the categories by which we perceive the world ( including time and space) leaves us without ' the - thing - in itself)but with a capacity to make sense out of the world, and trust scientific investigation of it. Strathern in his usual excellent way narrates the story of the poor Kant's rise to philosophical greatness. Hard and steady work, and a drudging devotion to knowledge are the keys to the Kantian exploration of many different fields. The Philosophy comes late after years of preparation , the mature product of long thought. The three great Critiques , the first on Metaphysics, the second on Morals, the third on Aesthetics are one of philosophy's great syntheses. The exploration of the ' starry heavens above and the moral law within' provide Mankind with a new way of knowing what it can and cannot know. Kant himself who Strathern claims had less of a life than any of the great philosophers, a life almost wholly a life of the mind is portrayed as a bit less ethical than I had always thought him to be. Strathern tells the story of his intellectual snobbery in regard to his sisters who he refused to meet with though they lived in the same town.He also tells of his firing his longtime valet Lampe . He also tells at Kant's delight at being the witty star of various social gatherings. All of this is perhaps minor gossip and not so important when placed against Kant's intellectual achievement. I think of another story about him not told in this book. It is that when he was very old and very sick a visitor came to see him. It was tremendously difficult for him but he stood to greet the visitor. When the visitor said that he should not have done this, Kant replied ' My sense of humanity has not left me'. I think of this in connection with Kant's categorical imperative "Act only in accord with a principle which you would at the same time will to be a universal law". And the image of the person of principle dedicated to the solitary quest for Truth returns. A man who never left Konigsberg but whose travels in mind were to eventually touch every place on earth where Mankind strives to know the truth.

So, what are you doing for the next 90 minutes !? Well, if you were Kant and it was 3pm you would be out for a walk. But, you are not Kant! So, why not read this crisp, piety-clearing, psych-insightful, entertaining portrait? Rarely will you find such an academically freeing and stimulating 90 minutes. (Especially assuming that you may have been numbed by Kant in the past.) And, cheaper than most of the multiplexes!

It is impossible to summarize Kant's work in 90 minutes, yet Strathern has managed to do it. It is painful to read Kant in the original or in English translation. Strathern has saved us from this pain by neatly summarizing Kant's work in a format that can be digested easily and quickly. The biographical information he gives brings Kant, the man, to life. He is able to put the main points of Kant's thought into language that a nonprofessional can understand. Thus, he has done us a great service.

Strathern is a master at this kind of work, which mixes biography, critical analysis, historical context and humor all in a concise, informative & entertaining package. He lists a time line for the philosopher, his place in world/philosophic history & a selection of works for furthur reading. This series of books by Strathern is a wonderful course in Philosophy 101 without ever having to go to college, all presented in plain, easy to understand English without being bogged down with philosophy's often confusing vernacular. If you are expecting an in-depth review or complete analysis of the philosopher's life & work, read another book. This is meant to be a quick, concise overview & that's just what it provides. There's suggested readings listed in the back for people who want to investigate Kant's life & works more thoroughly.