Pune News

SPPU Department of Philosophy Commemorates Immanuel Kant’s 300th Birth Anniversary

The Department of Philosophy at Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) celebrated the 300th birth anniversary of the renowned German philosopher Immanuel Kant with a special seminar on Wednesday. The event featured guest lectures by Professor Pravesh Jung from the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at IIT Bombay and Associate Professor Apaar Kumar from the School of Arts and Sciences at Ahmedabad University.

Kant’s Revolutionary Impact on Philosophy

Born in 1724, Kant, the author of the seminal work Critique of Pure Reason, remains one of the most influential figures in Western philosophy. Reflecting on Kant’s legacy, Professor Harish Navale, Head of the Philosophy Department at SPPU, remarked, “Kant brought a revolution in philosophy, shifting the focus from metaphysics to science. His ideas also influenced Indian thinkers like K.C. Bhattacharya and Lokmanya Tilak. Tilak, in his Gita Rahasya, began with the question, ‘Is there moral theory in Indian philosophy?’ and compared Kant’s deontological ethics with the Bhagavad Gita’s philosophy.”

Kant’s Legacy and Ethical Philosophy

Speaking to The Indian Express, Professor Pravesh Jung highlighted Kant’s transformative influence: “Kant revolutionized how we think about the world and ourselves. In the history of Western philosophy, ideas are often measured as pre-Kant or post-Kant. His theoretical insights give hope, showing that human beings are unique in their ability to aspire for a better future, even in dark times.”

Kant’s Ethics: Why One Must Not Lie

Professor Apaar Kumar delved into Kant’s complex ethical philosophy, particularly his principle known as the categorical imperative. Explaining Kant’s approach to distinguishing right from wrong, Kumar said, “Kant argues that morality is rooted in reason. A moral principle must be universal—act in a way that your actions could serve as a universal law.”Using the example of lying, Kumar elaborated, “A lie is inherently contradictory. For a lie to work, the liar assumes that no one else lies, making them an exception to the rule. This contradiction makes lying immoral.”But what about morally challenging situations? Kumar reconstructed Kant’s infamous stance on lying, using the scenario of a killer asking for a friend’s whereabouts. “Kant argues you should not lie, even in such cases. 

Ziya Khan

Related Articles

Back to top button