Immanuel Kant (1724-1802) was born in Königsberg, and never went further than ten miles away from his hometown. Despite this, Kant made significant contributions to the theory of knowledge and ethics. His style of ethics, deontology, remains to this day the most popular challenger to utilitarianism. Still having numerous followers today, Kant stands out as one of the most accomplished and influencial philosophers in the history of philosophy.
Kant argued that committing suicide was absolutely unethical. No-one should commit suicide - the moral worth of humans cannot exist if suicide was permissible. His arguments were received by a Maria von Herbert, who wrote a letter to the 'Great Kant’, asking for help.
She had made a confession to a man who she loved, which led him to end his love for her. This brought her to despair. Suicidal, she was desperate for advice or comfort from the philosopher who had impressed her so much. She wrote to him in 1791.
