Immanuel Kant and German Idealism Summary and Analysis

Philosophical thought in the nineteenth century is dominated by Immanuel Kant. For almost sixty years he works in seclusion and quiet development of the critical philosophy that rules European speculation. In 1781 he rouses the world from dogmatism with his Critique of Pure Reason. The philosophy of Schopenhauer in 1848, evolution after 1859 and Nietzsche at the end of the century are secondary superficial advances on a Kantian model that forms the axioms of mature philosophy. Voltaire's beginning of theoretical reason without faith evolves into religious faith with no reason. His enlightened age of reason and Francis Bacon's thought encourage confidence in the ability of science and logic to solve problems, showing man can become perfect. This use of reason conflicts with the religious faith and hope that thousands of church steeples in Europe demonstrate. Religion...