German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has publicly criticised Russian President Vladimir Putin for what he describes as “poaching” the tradition of the famous German philosopher Immanuel Kant. During a conversation at the Berlin- Brandenburg Academy of Sciences, marking the 300th celebration of Kant’s delivery, Scholz accused Putin of misrepresenting the philosopher’s thoughts.
Historical and intellectual theft
Kant, born in 1724 in what is now Kaliningrad ( formerly Koenigsberg and part of Prussia ), is a monumental figure in classical German philosophy, noted for his contributions to ethics, aesthetics, and philosophical ontology. Given the current political tensions involving Russia, Scholz’s notes reflect a strong disapproval of Putin’s repeated references to Kant. ” Putin does n’t have the slightest right to quote Kant, yet Putin’s regime remains committed to poaching Kant and his work at almost any cost”, Scholz stated, as reported by Die Zeit.
Contrasting ideas on peace and geopolitics
The German chief argued that Russia’s actions in Ukraine contradict Kant’s teachings, which imply that its participation in the fight would be in direct conflict with Kant’s principles of non-interference and peace. In contrast to forced agreements, which are supported by Scholz, who supports Kiev’s position not to indulge in peace talks with Moscow when pressured, is a core principle of Kant’s philosophy.
Putin’s enthusiasm for Kant
Despite these criticisms, Putin has frequently praised Kant, proposing in 2013 to render him an recognized symbol of the Kaliningrad Region, where Kant spent his life. In a recent proposal in Kaliningrad, Putin lauded Kant as a major scholar and highlighted the philosopher’s dictum to “live by one’s own brains”, a notion he believes may information modern Russia as well.
Local response to Scholz’s feedback
The Kaliningrad administration responded to Scholz’s critiques by claiming that Russia has done more to respect Kant’s memory and lessons than any other nation. The president’s press minister, Dmitry Lyskov, argued that Kant’s reputation as a theme of the Russian king generally ties the scientist to Russia more than any current political statements.
