to understand the phenomena of mental life is to penetrate to its original sources.—By founding the critical philosophy, in this understanding of the term, Kant defined the problem and method of the science of mind. The entire product of the nineteenth century in the department of the mental sciences is based upon the view-points which he has marked out.
According to Kant's theory, primitive human thought is dogmatic. Man begins with an implicit confidence in his intellect and he believes himself capable of solving all problems. He wishes to comprehend and coördinate everything. It is this desire that leads to the dogmatic systems, which proceed from the demand for unity so deeply imbedded in human nature. But eventually, when disillusionment supervenes, and the systems are found to contradict each other, there arises a tendency towards sceptical reflection. The third step however is the specific investigation of knowledge or the understanding, i. e. critical reflection. It is this endeavor, at once the sign of philosophic maturity and self-limitation, that Kant wishes to introduce.
The life of the thinker who bequeathed this profound thought to the world was confined within narrow circles, but it is a life of simple majesty. Immanuel Kant was born of poor artizan parents at Königsberg on the 22d of April, 1724. His parents were moderate pietists, and the mother especially exerted a profound influence upon the son. At the University in Königsberg he studied the Wolffian philosophy and the Newtonian physics. Through the former he became acquainted with the dogmatic method of philosophy, and in the latter he discovered a pattern of exact empirical science. After having spent several years in various families of the nobility in East
