17. April 2024

Kant’s Enlightenment Project Kant’s Enlightenment Project

Celebrating Kant’s 300th birthday with a conference in Bonn

He was the founder of the German Enlightenment. His thinking was cosmopolitan, despite never having left Königsberg. Immanuel Kant was born 300 years ago in Königsberg, now Kaliningrad. His philosophical and academic achievements remain. The Categorical Imperative may still be familiar to many from school. This edition of forsch presents two key areas of Kant studies conducted in Bonn, reveals what you can expect in Bonn this year, and provides some scintillating insights that will help you shine during the Kant tercentenary.

Kant's invitations to lunch: Although Kant lived a rather secluded life, he often hosted lunches and discussion groups, and invited leading members of the Königsberg citizenry to his home to discuss current affairs. The only condition: no philosophy.
Kant's invitations to lunch: Although Kant lived a rather secluded life, he often hosted lunches and discussion groups, and invited leading members of the Königsberg citizenry to his home to discuss current affairs. The only condition: no philosophy. © Emil Dörstling (1859–1940), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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Six facts about Kant


The Digital Kant Center provides accompanying information

The new Digital Kant Center in North Rhine-Westphalia offers digital content to accompany the Kant Year. Bonn’s philosophers are currently considering the issues of ‘Kant and the problem of an international peace order’ and ‘Kant and the problem of migration’. The project is funded by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia with some € 1.8 million. Its work includes the Kant Today podcast, regular workshops, the Kant in Five Minutes video series and the weekly Digital Kant Lectures.

A Guide to Perpetual Peace

Why, according to Kant, is the rule of law essential for a peaceful world?

Schäfer
© IZPH

The Russian invasion of Ukraine and Hamas’ attack on Israel are just two of the many conflicts that continue to shake the world. War would just seem to be part of human nature. Although making this observation 230 years ago, the polymath Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) then proceeded to formulate a 100-page blueprint for perpetual peace. Professor Rainer Schäfer from the Digital Kant Center NRW in Bonn discusses the practicality of Kant’s concept and its relevance for the 21st century.

Borders Are Arbitrary, but Inviolable

Kant’s doctrine of world citizenship, his view of migration and its contemporary significance

Christoph Horn
© Uni Bonn

Everyone has the right to visit and reside in a foreign country: thus a central aspect of Immanuel Kant’s doctrine of global citizenship. In this interview, Professor Christoph Horn (University of Bonn) from the Digital Kant Center NRW explains Kant’s view of migration, why he considered the drawing of borders to be arbitrary, and the contemporary relevance of this doctrine.

Digital Kant Centre with accompanying content

The new "Digital Kant Centre North Rhine-Westphalia" offers digital content relating to the Kant Year. In Bonn, academics are conducting research on the topics of "Kant and the problem of an international peace order" and "Kant and the problem of migration". The project is being funded by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia with almost 1.8 million euros.

This includes the podcast "Kant Today", regular workshops, the video series "Kant in Five Minutes" and the weekly Digital Kant Lectures.

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