How Immanuel Kant Transformed Himself into a Model of Discipline

March 18, 2025 7:08 AM

Immanuel Kant, the father of deontological ethics, is celebrated not only for his revolutionary philosophical ideas but also for his extraordinarily disciplined lifestyle. For nearly 40 years, Kant adhered to a rigid daily routine, which became as legendary as his intellectual contributions. As the first modern philosopher to work as a university professor, Kant’s life reveals the interplay of habit, discipline, and genius, showcasing a man far more complex than the stereotype of a machine-like thinker.

When Kant became a full professor at the University of Königsberg, he faced a problem: his lectures started at 7:00 a.m., and he hated mornings. His fix? He hired Martin Lampe, a former soldier, as his assistant. Lampe’s strict discipline kept Kant on schedule, helping him stick to the rigid routine he became known for later in life.

Though often regarded as cold-hearted, Kant was well-liked in Königsberg. He dined daily with people from diverse backgrounds, rarely limiting his company to fellow philosophers. This social openness further underscores the complexity of a man often reduced to a caricature of rigidity.

For those interested in exploring Kant’s life further, several resources offer unique perspectives. The film The Last Days of Immanuel Kant provides a dry but dramatized portrayal of his routine, while the book of the same title is far more engaging and humorous. A whimsical YouTube video reenacts Kant’s legendary daily schedule, offering a lighthearted yet informative look at his habits. For a deeper dive, Manfred Kuehn’s biography delves into granular detail, revealing a man far more multifaceted than the stereotype of a rigid, machine-like thinker.

posted by rageagainsttherobots (13 comments total)

obligatory [g]
posted by HearHere at 7:30 AM on March 18

What did he do on weekends when, presumably, he didn’t lecture?
posted by wittgenstein at 7:31 AM on March 18

On weekends, he often spent more time with friends, particularly Joseph Greene, for much of his life. Kant did not have a family of his own.
posted by rageagainsttherobots at 7:40 AM on March 18 [2 favorites]

What did he do on weekends when, presumably, he didn’t lecture?

wasn't Kant known for hosting meals with multiple friends that lasted longer than the average, and the average meal for that period and that demographic was typically pretty long. they didn't have phones and had to make noises through their pieholes for entertainment
posted by ginger.beef at 7:46 AM on March 18 [3 favorites]

Also obligatory (no shade intended, though - this post is awesome and Kant is a fascinating figure!)
posted by Navelgazer at 8:49 AM on March 18 [1 favorite]

What did he do on weekends when, presumably, he didn’t lecture?

IIRC he was left back in the Deutsche erste Mannschaft.
posted by biffa at 8:53 AM on March 18 [4 favorites]

What did he do on weekends when, presumably, he didn’t lecture?

I've heard he was a real piss-ant who was very rarely stable.
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:09 AM on March 18 [13 favorites]

Immanuel Kant, but Kublai Khan.
posted by kirkaracha at 9:18 AM on March 18 [2 favorites]

And I thought we were getting a look at the controversy around Malta's entry to the Eurovision Song Contest this year... Kant, by Miriana Conte (FYI it's bean tweaked to 'Serving' following some interesting discourse around the continent, not everyone seemed to appreciate that kant is maltese for singing).
posted by ewan at 10:39 AM on March 18 [1 favorite]

we get it, you don't have kids.
posted by AlbertCalavicci at 11:05 AM on March 18

we get it, you don't have kids.
How topical! Just 2 days ago on Crooked Timber...
posted by Calvin and the Duplicators at 11:33 PM on March 18 [1 favorite]

...and speaking of Manfred Kuehn, I really miss his blog on note-taking.
posted by Calvin and the Duplicators at 11:37 PM on March 18

I tried to read Critique of Pure Reason a few times in my early 20s. At which point I realised that life was too short, and there were far better ways to spend my brief existence.

So I guess it was a productive exercise in one sense.
posted by Pouteria at 6:45 PM on March 19 [2 favorites]