Kant the (P)Russian Philosopher?

Robert R. Clewis considers present implications of Kant’s Russian connections.

- Robert R. Clewis

According to Immanuel Kant, perpetual peace is the “highest political good”, while war is the source of the “greatest evils that oppress civilized nations.” Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine has indeed created suffering for many. It also violated Kant’s principle that “No state shall forcibly interfere in the constitution and government of another state” (Perpetual Peace: A Philosophical Sketch, 1795). The war has also affected some surprising areas – even the world of philosophy. In particular it has created some tough dilemmas for Kant societies around the world.

The renowned philosopher was born three hundred years ago, on April 22, 1724, in Königsberg, a port city not far from the Baltic Sea, which was then a major city in East Prussia. Carved up by the canals of the Pregel River, the city was famous for its seven bridges, which gave rise to Euler’s math problem the ‘Seven Bridges of Königsberg’: is it possible to take a walk in which you cross all seven bridges of the city just once and arrive back where you started? (Euler: No.) The city is now called Kaliningrad, and is part of Russia, yet even today shops throughout Kaliningrad are filled with merch and trinkets in Kant’s likeness. He is a valuable symbol of the city.