Immanuel Kant was born on April 22, 1724 in Konigsburg, East Prussia. At age 8, he entered the Collegium Fridiricianum, a pietistic Latin school, where he remained for 8 1/2 years and studied the classics. he then entered the University of Konigsburg in 1740 to study philosophy, mathematics, and physics. In 1756, he received a degree and was made a lecturer, and in 1770 he became a professor. The death of his father halted his university career so he became a private tutor. In 1755, he returned to Konigsburg where he spent the remainder of his life. .

             Kant was a very habitual man. He never left his native province in his entire life, he took daily walks whereas people could set their watches on, he loved company and was a very amusing and interesting person, while he never married. Kant lived a very routine and uneventful life. He later resumed his studies, received his doctorate, and taught for the next 15 years. .

             Kant was an amazing orator and was internationally famous for his lectures. He was appointed to a regular chair of philosophy at the University at the age of 46 in 1770. He was made the professor of logics and metaphysics. He was the first great philosopher to be a professional academic. He came into conflict with Prussia's government due to his unorthodox religious teachings. In 1792, the king of Prussia, Frederick William II, forbade Kant to teach or write on religious teachings. He obeyed the king's order until William II died. In 1798, the year following his retirement fromt the University, Kant published a summary of his religious views. He died on February 12, 1804. .

             During his lifetime, Kant produced many writings. Scholars usually divide his literary career into two periods: the Pre-critical period and the Critical period. During the Pre-critical period, 1747 to 1781, he wrote many non-fictional works and criticisms. Some of them were "Thoughts on the True Estimation of Living Forces", "On Fire", "A New Explanation of the First Principles of Metaphysical Knowledge", and "On the Forms and Principles of the Sensible and Intelligible World".