Immanuel Kant’s contributions to natural philosophy receive relatively little attention today. If at all subject to scrutiny, the focus is rarely on his natural philosophy as a whole, but rather on specific aspects. While Kant’s epistemological and moral writings remain subjects of lively debate among philosophers, his natural philosophical or scientific writings are largely neglected. Occasionally, philosophers of science address his efforts to establish the metaphysical foundations of mechanics. Historians of science sometimes show interest in his hypothesis about the origin of our planetary system or his as-if-teleological concept of organicity, viewing these aspects of his natural philosophy as original and foreshadowing later scientific achievements. However, Kant’s scientific work is generally regarded as uninteresting, often dismissed as either amateurish or unoriginal.

However, if one views the history of science as more than just a narrative of success, focusing on the heroes of the triumphal march of science, a different perspective on Kant’s scientific work emerges. From this vantage point, Kant’s work becomes a highly illuminating reflection of the sciences of his time. Kant consistently engaged with the sciences. From the mid-1750s onward, he was required to lecture on a wide range of scientific subjects at the University of Königsberg, necessitating that he keep pace with scientific developments and remain familiar with contemporary scientific knowledge, at least as presented in textbooks. In certain fields, however, he was able to contribute his own ideas—ideas that, to a historically informed observer, stand on an equal footing with those of the renowned scientists of his era.

Kant’s natural philosophy reflects both the fragmented nature of the scientific knowledge of his time and the attempt to synthesize this knowledge. His efforts are by no means inferior to those of his famous contemporaries and merit closer attention. A deeper exploration of his work holds the potential for significant discoveries, not only for history of science but also for a more nuanced understanding of Kant as a scientist.