Religion within the Boundaries of Mere Reason

XII
Introduction.

Instead of following the pattern of his school companion David Ruhnken and becoming a capable philologist A scholar of language and literature., as his friends expected of him, he threw himself entirely into philosophy, mathematics, and "pure" natural science. That he had, in any case, completely lost sight of theology is proven by the answer he once gave his old teacher Schultz when asked about his future profession; he declared that he "wanted to become a physician original: "Medikus." At the time, medical studies were seen as a distinct path from the theological career his family and teachers likely intended for him.." The fact that in his old age (1802) he told his dinner companions that he had once drafted a sermon on Matthew 5:23 ("Be well-disposed toward your adversary" original: "Sei willfährig deinem Widersacher." While the text cites verse 23, this specific phrase is found in Matthew 5:25.) does not prove that he truly intended to dedicate himself to the clerical office. And, even if the remark he entered into the family book upon the death of his father in 1746¹) still seems to be kept in the same spirit that filled his home and school atmosphere, the choice of the theme of his famous first treatise (Thoughts on the True Estimation of Living Forces) and the manner of its development already indicate his changed intellectual direction. Furthermore, the question addressed to him with solemn earnestness in 1758 by his former teacher F. A. Schultz, before recommending him for a professorship—"Do you also fear God from your heart?"—suggests a slight doubt on the part of the said theologian regarding the young philosopher's orthodoxy Strict adherence to established religious doctrines..

b) Pre-critical Period. This term refers to the phase of Kant's career before he published his most famous work, the "Critique of Pure Reason" (1781), during which he was still working through the scientific and metaphysical ideas of his time.

From 1755 onward, Kant's further religious development is primarily evident in his writings, from which the features most characteristic of our topic shall be presented here.
1. We refer first to the preface of the Universal Natural History and Theory of the Heavens.

1. "In the year 1746, on March 24th at 3:30 in the afternoon, my dearest father was called away by a blessed death original: "seeligen Tod." A traditional expression indicating a peaceful passing while in a state of faith.. May God, who did not let him enjoy much joy in this life, let him partake of eternal joy in its stead." (According to Arnoldt, p. 609 note)