Besides theoretical theology, which tries to cognize and prove God, there can also be a practical theology which only tries to cognize what God is for us and how we should behave towards him and which does not strive for knowledge of God but for rational belief. This practical theology however can only be moral theology, it can neither be pragmatic theology nor theological morality.

Quote: 0:08

Practical theology: 0:28

Pragmatic theology: 9:43

Theological morality: 32:18

Thanks: 51:12

Overview over theology according to Kant: https://jonathanivoloewer.de/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/theology-according-to-Kant.png

The imperatives according to Kant: https://jonathanivoloewer.de/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/imperatives-according-to-Kant.jpg

Against theological morality Kant argues repeatedly in his lectures on rational theology: https://archive.org/details/kantsgesammeltes0000kant_r0k1/mode/2up and also in his Critique of Pure Reason: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/4280/4280-h/4280-h.htm and his Critique of the Power of Judgment: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/48433/48433-h/48433-h.htm.

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Nature around us seems too purposive and harmonic to be a product of chance. Physicotheology starts from the order of nature and from that deduces its divine originator and his attributes. This is the most natural, most easy to understand and original form of theology according to Kant. But one that, taken by itself, is insufficient to build religion on it but rather leads to paganism.

Quote: 0:08

The architectonic structure of theology: 2:03

Physicotheology: 7:43

The architectonic deduction of the different fields of theology: 14:28

The physicotheological argument for God: 22:13

Physicotheology in Islam: 37:45

The value of the physicotheological proof for God: 1:11:44

The God of physicotheology: 1:24:14

The refutation of the physicotheological proof for God: 1:55:08

Physicotheology leads to polytheism and hylemorphism: 2:11:24

The physicotheological proof for God secretly rests on the cosmological and ontological proof for God: 2:28:50

That there can't be knowledge of God's existence has adventages: 2:37:32

Physicotheology alone leads to paganism instead of religion: 2:43:08

Thanks: 2:51:07

Overview over theology according to Kant: https://jonathanivoloewer.de/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/theology-according-to-Kant.png

The table of categories according to Kant: https://jonathanivoloewer.de/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/table-of-categories-according-to-Kant.jpg

Rabia of Basra: https://youtu.be/cVSZaxcg6RY?si=YolngW29JMqsOflf

Remarks on physicotheology can be found in Kant's lectures on rational theology: https://archive.org/details/kantsgesammeltes0000kant_r0k1/mode/2up, and also in his lectures on metaphysics: https://archive.org/details/kantsgesammeltes0028kant/mode/2up | https://archive.org/details/kantsgesammeltes0028kant_d7g2/mode/2up (I am not aware of a free English translation of either). Besides that there is Kant's pre-critical The Only Possible Argument In Support Of A Demonstration Of The Existence Of God: https://archive.org/details/the-only-possible-argument-in-support-of-a-demonstration-of-the-existence-of-god/mode/2up wherein he explains the physicotheological proof for God very well and elegantly. § 85. of the Critique of the Power of Judgment: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/48433/48433-h/48433-h.htm also contains important explanations on physicotheology. Finally, the refutation of the physicotheological proof for God is found in the third main part of the dialectic of pure reason in the Critique of Pure Reason: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/4280/4280-h/4280-h.htm.

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A sub field of rational theology, in which we try to have cognition of God through reason and without the help of any revelation, is transcendental theology. In this field all experience is transcended and we think about God through pure reason. This leads to deism, a conception of God according to which God is the necessary being and original force from which the world emanated, but not a conscious intelligence acting according to purposes which could be revered or loved. On transcendental theology therefore no religion can be built, however it is important for clarifying and correcting our concept of God.

Quote: 0:08

Transcendental theology: 0:41

Ontotheology: 7:23

- The God of ontotheology: Deism: 16:24

- The use of ontotheology: 35:24

- 1. Refutation of polytheism: 37:15

- 2. Refutation of pantheism: 50:53

- 3. Protection against anthropomorphism: 1:02:13

- 4. Refutation of dogmatic atheism: 1:04:21

- The ontological proof for God: 1:06:20

- The refutation of the ontological proof for God: 1:18:54

Cosmotheology: 1:57:03

- The cosmological proof for God: 1:57:24

- Cosmotheology is transcendental theology: 2:05:33

- The God of cosmotheology: Pantheism and world cause: 2:14:04

- The refutation of the cosmological proof for God: 2:22:23

Conclusion: 2:30:08

Thanks: 2:35:05

Overview over theology according to Kant: https://jonathanivoloewer.de/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/theology-according-to-Kant.png

The table of categories according to Kant: https://jonathanivoloewer.de/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/table-of-categories-according-to-Kant.jpg

The table of judgments according to Kant: https://jonathanivoloewer.de/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/table-of-judgments-according-to-Kant.jpg

The transcendental theology Kant discusses mostly in his lectures on rational theology: https://archive.org/details/kantsgesammeltes0000kant_r0k1/mode/2up, and also in his lectures on metaphysics: https://archive.org/details/kantsgesammeltes0028kant/mode/2up | https://archive.org/details/kantsgesammeltes0028kant_d7g2/mode/2up (I am not aware of a free English translation of either).

Whoever is interested specifically in the two transcendental proofs for God and their refutation, should read the third main part of the dialectic of pure reason in the Critique of Pure Reason: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/4280/4280-h/4280-h.htm.

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The philosopher does not do revealed theology which presupposes believe in some divine revelation, but tries to have cognition of God through reason alone. Here he is met with the difficulty of how the finite creature may grasp the infinite creator, and most of all with the danger of sliding into anthropomorphism.

Quote: 0:08

Rational theology: 0:49

The difficulty of the cognition of God and of anthropomorphism: 6:31

How God can be talked about: 19:15

Via eminentiae: 30:40

Via negationis: 48:33

Via analogiae: 1:09:45

The fields of rational theology: 1:38:18

Kant's architectonic: 1:44:12

Thanks: 2:03:41

The table of categories according to Kant: https://jonathanivoloewer.de/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/table-of-categories-according-to-Kant.jpg

Overiew over metaphysics according to Kant: https://jonathanivoloewer.de/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Metaphysics-according-to-Kant-scaled.jpg

The thinking faculty according to Kant: https://jonathanivoloewer.de/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/faculty-of-thinking-according-to-Kant.jpg

Overview over theology according to Kant: https://jonathanivoloewer.de/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/theology-according-to-Kant.png

Whoever wants to get more in depth concerning Kant's theology and its method should study the lectures on rational theology: https://archive.org/details/kantsgesammeltes0000kant_r0k1/mode/2up, his lectures on metaphysics: https://archive.org/details/kantsgesammeltes0028kant/mode/2up | https://archive.org/details/kantsgesammeltes0028kant_d7g2/mode/2up also contain many remarks on rational theology (I am not aware of a free English translation of either).

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While religion is practical, theology is theoretical: A person's theology is the sum of the statements on God he considers to be true. These statements however theology can take from revelation or from reason. And here arises the conflict between the theological and the philosophical faculty on the way through which to gain cognition of God.

Quote: 0:08

The philosophy of religion is the crowning conclusion of Kant's philosophy: 0:29

The contemporary neglect of philosophy of religion: 9:46

Theology and religion: 24:29

For true religion, correct theology is helpful but not necessary: 29:35

Revealed theology and rational theology: 41:24

The conflict of the theological and the philosophical faculty: 53:47

Thanks: 1:26:18

Of theology and the conflict between the theological and the philosophical faculty Kant talks in the first section of his Conflict of Faculties (I could not find a free English translation online).

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All moral action is working towards the realization of the highest good: A world in which people have happiness while also deserving it. But it is Kant's accomplishment to have shown two things: The highest good doesn't mark the beginning but the end of morality, we ought not to realize it because it is good, it is good because we ought to realize it. And the two halves of the highest good cannot be united in the sensual world - whereby it is pointing beyond, towards a supersensual world and forming a bridge from moral philosophy to the philosophy of religion.

Quote: 0:08

The highest good in Kant's philosophy: 1:15

The highest good doesn't mark the beginning but the end of morality: 3:34

The highest physical good: 18:15

The highest moral good: 36:36

The highest (ethical) good: 1:02:32

The dialectic of practical reason: 1:18:55

Ancient attempts at solving the dialectic: 1:23:50

The highest physical and moral good are separated: 1:39:11

The highest juridical good: 1:51:31

Most of the time morality and prudence align: 2:03:58

Most people are bad and prefer their adventage over morality: 2:09:27

The common objections against Kant: 2:19:38

Morality is to be prefered over one's own adventage: 2:33:08

The solution of the dialectic of practical reason in religion: 3:02:17

Thanks: 3:09:49

The highest good Kant discusses in his Critique of Pure Reason: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/4280/4280-h/4280-h.htm and most of all in his Critique of Practical Reason: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/5683/5683-h/5683-h.htm

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Most people seek a passive happiness: Resting, indulging, receiving pleasure. Kant however is aware that there is also an active happiness: Being active, creating, bringing forth meaning.

Quote: 0:08

Kant teaches mostly a negative path to happiness: 0:20

Possible sources of happiness: 8:48

Passive & active happiness: 13:45

Why activity is pleasurable: 35:28

The active person doesn't only work but also rests or plays: 54:10

The unity of all sages and philosophers on happiness and how today it is not discussed: 58:33

Thanks: 1:19:42

On activity and the happiness growing out of it Kant never talked comprehensively or systematically but rather made remarks in various places. It is recommended to study especially his lectures on his topic, both his lectures on metaphysics: https://archive.org/details/kantsgesammeltes0028kant/mode/2up | https://archive.org/details/kantsgesammeltes0028kant_d7g2/mode/2up as well as his lectures on anthropology: https://archive.org/details/kantsgesammeltes0000kant_a3n3 | https://archive.org/details/kantsgesammeltes0000kant_j8c0 as well as his lectures on moral philosophy: https://www.archive.org/details/kantsgesammeltes271imma | https://archive.org/details/kantsgesammeltes272imma | https://archive.org/details/kantsgesammeltes0027kant_s1s1/mode/2up (I am not aware of any English translations.)

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In theoretical regard Kant dismisses the idealism that declares the world to be a mere illusion. Practically, however, we should act as if it was true: We should consider the brevity and vanity of life, treat the world as a children's game and not take anything as important except our moral duty. This is the path to a constantly cheerful heart.

Quote: 0:08

Nothing in life has value except our morality: 0:22

Life is short and fleeting: 27:54

Mere life, measured by its pleasure, is worthless: 34:43

Practical idealism: 54:18

The power of imagination as condition of the possibility of practical idealism: 1:21:41

The constantly cheerful heart: 1:51:44

Abstraction as means to a happy life: 2:01:00

Thanks: 2:22:23

The posture of practical idealism and the constantly cheerful heart Kant discusses mainly in his works on anthropology, so in his Anthropology from a pragmatic point of view: http://korpora.org/kant/aa07/230.html, his lectures on anthropology: https://archive.org/details/kantsgesammeltes0000kant_a3n3 | https://archive.org/details/kantsgesammeltes0000kant_j8c0 and his handwritten estate on anthropology: http://korpora.org/kant/aa15/234.html. (I could not find any free English translations online) But also his lectures on logic deal with art at times, that is with the difference between the aesthetical and the logical: https://archive.org/details/kantsgesammeltes241imma/page/n5/mode/2up | https://archive.org/details/kantsgesammeltes242imma/page/n7/mode/2up (English translations exist, but unfortunately I couldn't find them for free on the internet.) You may also gain an impression of Kant's attitude towards life with its brevity and towards death through his Thoughts on the Occasion of Mr. Johann Friedrich von Funk’s Untimely Death https://assets.cambridge.org/97805218/84129/excerpt/9780521884129_excerpt.pdf

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Each inclination is a chain. It binds us to the objects which we need for satisfying it. And the more we satisfy it the more we become dependent on it through habit and also get numb towards the pleasure. Whoever wants to be happy therefore should not chase after satisfaction of his needs but strive for having as little needs as possible. Kant recommends along with Epicurus a modest life: Don’t deny yourself delights, don’t live in complete asceticism, but be content with little and simple delights, enjoy other pleasures from time to time when there is an opportunity, but don’t make yourself dependent on them.

Quote: 0:08

The positive path towards happiness: Get what you require: 0:38

The negative path towards happiness: Require little: 19:10

Modesty instead of wantoness: 26:21

People should be able to do without, but not actually do without everything: 38:36

Whoever is dependent on things is immoral and unhappy: 1:04:14

Kant's advices: 1:35:26

- Abstain from futile desires: 1:36:13

- Think how many live without whatever is a need to you: 1:39:54

- Don’t let habits turn into inclinations through habit: 1:46:31

- Always keep some pleasures in prospect for later: 2:08:18

- Don’t sacrifice the whole for a part: 2:22:20

- Keep in mind that every gain is a loss and the other way around: 2:30:54

Conclusion: 2:41:24

Thanks: 2:45:16

The posture of modesty Kant discusses mostly in his lectures on moral philosophy: https://www.archive.org/details/kantsgesammeltes271imma | https://archive.org/details/kantsgesammeltes272imma | https://archive.org/details/kantsgesammeltes0027kant_s1s1/mode/2up and in his handwritten estate on moral philosophy: https://www.korpora.org/Kant/aa19/ (I am not aware of any English translations).

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People's misery mostly doesn't come from outside difficulties or blows of fate but from them letting things affect their mood too much and being too sensitive. Against this Kant advises a stoic equanimity: Allowing no thing an influence on one's psyche, not being sad about anything except one's own bad behaviour. This however doesn't mean indifference: A person should be sentimental and should take things to heart, that is let himself be moved, but they should not rob him of his peace of mind.

Quote: 0:08

People aren't victims of their affections and passions: 1:29

The wise person does not need to overcome himself but isn't at war with himself in the first place: 13:25

People ought to be equanimous, not indifferent: 22:39

People ought to take things to heart, not let them affect their mood: 31:46

People ought to be sentimental, not sensitive: 51:55

True equanimity comes from character: 1:02:40

The oversensitivness of the present is an issue of civilization: 1:20:09

Equanimity does not go together with hedonism: 1:38:07

Thanks: 1:48:37

The posture of equanimity Kant discusses mainly in his works on anthropology, so in his Anthropology from a pragmatic point of view: http://korpora.org/kant/aa07/230.html, his lectures on anthropology: https://archive.org/details/kantsgesammeltes0000kant_a3n3 | https://archive.org/details/kantsgesammeltes0000kant_j8c0 and his handwritten estate on anthropology: http://korpora.org/kant/aa15/234.html. (I could not find any free English translations online) But also his lectures on logic deal with art at times, that is with the difference between the aesthetical and the logical: https://archive.org/details/kantsgesammeltes241imma/page/n5/mode/2up | https://archive.org/details/kantsgesammeltes242imma/page/n7/mode/2up (English translations exist, but unfortunately I couldn't find them for free on the internet.)

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