A Palingenesis and Its Consequences 149which always formed the basis [of his actions] and to which one always had
to return. These maxims gradually became intertwined so much with his
self that his actions always proceeded from them, even when he was not
aware of them at the time."^11 This also had great consequences for the
many "bright ideas" that characterized his mental life. They were to be
put into the service of a universal theory, but first the theory itself had to
be formulated.
The advice he gave to Herder on leaving Königsberg might have been
withdrawn not long after it was offered. Perhaps it is not altogether wrong
to characterize the revolution and rebirth that Kant underwent as the re¬
sult of a "life crisis."^12 If Kant's foundation of his own character coincided
with his fortieth year, then it coincided with a number of other significant
developments in his life.
First of all, around 1764 his circle of friends changed dramatically. Kypke,
who had moved to the outskirts of the city to raise carrots and onions, was
no longer as close to Kant as he had been during earlier years. Indeed, as
early as April 1761, Hamann reported that Kypke was building a "house
at the garden, and lets his profession lay fallow for a time."^13 This included
his professional friendships as well. It also appears that he never really re¬
turned to cultivating the arts. His garden seemed to provide more than
enough fulfillment. Kypke never made any further contribution to the in¬
tellectual discussion of the time. His interests and those of Kant began to
diverge so much that they no longer had much to talk about.
More importantly, however, in April, just days before Kant's fortieth
birthday, Funk, Kant's closest friend, died suddenly. His entire circle of
friends was in an uproar. Hamann reported on April 21 (the evening before
Easter Sunday) that there had nearly been a brawl about who was to bury
his corpse. The Prussians and the Kurländers both insisted that they had the
right to put him to rest. Kant, a Prussian, was charged with organizing a
memorial event {Ehrengepränge), but the officials prohibited it. Neither
party was allowed to have a public event. Instead, Funk was buried at night.
Hippel, a Kurländer, composed an elegy to Funk. Hamann expected that
the "other party," that is, the Prussians, which most prominently included
Kant, would do the same. It is not known whether the Prussians did follow
suit, but we may be sure that none of these developments made it easier
for Kant to deal with the loss.
We do not know how he grieved, but since he was a sensitive human be¬
ing, Kant surely could not have been without a great deal of sorrow. His
fortieth birthday could not have been a happy one. His grieving would not