[Immanuel Kant--a genius of pedantry and punctuality].
The German philosopher Immanuel Kant (22.4.1724 - 12.2.1804), who formulated the ideal of man lead by consciousness, had a peculiar personality and suffered from many somatic complaints. Nevertheless his ritualized way of living determined by many rules and ritualized lunch seems to be a resource that enabled a great and epoch-making work despite his physical weakness. His "maximized" way of living seems to have had no negative consequences either on his work or on his life. It seems that it made his work and life very agreeable and contributed to the legendary calm and regularity he appreciated so much. Kant's character was specified by his "constant pursuit for intellectually well-founded principles in every manner" - at least according to his persuasion. So his compulsive personality traits seem to be a necessary condition for his work.
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Abteilung für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie, Medizinische Universitätsklinik und Poliklinik, Universitätsklinikum Tübingen, Osianderstr. 5, 72076 Tübingen. steffen.haefner@med.unituebingen.de
D017281:Cost of Illness; D005197:Famous Persons; D005858:Germany; D049671:History, 18th Century; D010551:Personality; D010684:Philosophy / Q000266:history*; D012649:Self Concept; D056345:Theory of Mind