ABSTRACT
Kant, who taught at the University of Königsberg, was one of the greatest philosophers of the Enlightenment (the European movement in the 17th and 18th centuries concerned with the attempt to find knowledge through reason). He sought to establish a systematic framework of knowledge and aesthetics, and made a detailed study of the basis of rights and duties from which he deduced principles and axioms which remain highly relevant in any consideration of responsibility under the law. The required answer should set out some general comments concerning Kant’s basic beliefs and the essence of his teachings. Reference must be made to the nature of the ‘categorical imperative’ and its fundamental significance for jurisprudential thought. The following skeleton answer is used:
Introduction – features of transcendental idealism – man’s sense of duty – the nature of the categorical imperative – Kant’s definition of law – rights and duties – conclusion, criticism of Kant’s views.
