Ebook: Kant's Humorous Writings: An Illustrated Guide

Containing new translations of Kant’s bon mots, quips, and anecdotes, this book affords a different
perspective on one of the most influential philosophers of all time.
Commonly regarded as one of the most serious philosophers (this is a man who took his daily walk at
precisely the same time each day), we in fact know little about the events of Kant’s very quiet life. We
know he lived in a remote Prussian province, was a lifelong bachelor, and taught the same courses at
the same university for over forty years. Yet the 30 jokes and anecdotes collected together here for
the first time, reveal a man and a thinker who was deeply interested in how humour, laughter and
the art of the story shaped how we think.
The Humourous Kant explores a dimension of Kant’s writing that has hitherto been almost entirely
ignored but which casts his philosophy into a new light. And contains entirely new translations of
Kant’s bon mots, quips, and anecdotes, supplemented by historical commentary which outlines why
these pieces were important to both the man and his work.
A Foreword on Kant’s theory of humour by philosopher Noël Carroll as well as the editor’s
Afterword explain Kant’s theory of humour and why he was so humorous and provide a fresh way in
to the work of this enduringly important thinker.