First Years (1755–1758): “An Excellent Brain”

On april 17, 1755, Kant handed in his dissertation for the Magister degree in philosophy. It was entitled “Succinct Meditations on Fire,” and was not much more than an uncontroversial exposition of views derived from those of Teske. His uncle Richter paid the necessary fees for Kant's promotion. Four weeks later there was a public examination, and on June 12 he received the doctorate. Hahn, who was the professor who had first inscribed Kant's name into the register of the citizens of the university, gave a lecture “On the Honorable Titles of the Old Jews at Their Academic Promotions: Rabh, Rabbi, and Rabbon.” Kant's topic was “On Easy and Thorough Instruction in Philosophy.” Borowski noted that there was “a rare congregation of learned men,” and that “the entire auditorium showed through its quietness and attention the proper honor to the Magister to be.” Kant had achieved a reputation, or at least some notoriety. The scholars and intellectuals connected with the University of Königsberg were expecting much from him. That this is true can also be seen from one of Hamann's letters to his brother, in which he asks that Kant's dissertation be sent to him, for Kant is “an excellent brain” (“fürtrefflicher Kopf”). In 1755, Kant was no longer an unknown quantity – at least not in Königsberg.