Problems with Religion and Politics 359Kant's students reported that he often introduced his lectures by saying
that he lectured neither for the very bright (Genies), because they would find
their own way, nor for the stupid, because they were not worth the effort,
but only for those in the middle, who were seeking to be educated for a fu¬
ture profession.^112
In 1788, Kant taught for thirteen hours: logic (with eighty students en¬
rolled), natural law (twelve students), physical geography, and an "exami-
natorium" on logic (with ten students).^113 In that same year Pörschke, who
lectured on aesthetics in accordance with Eberhard and on metaphysics
based on Ulrich, also announced a course on Kant's Critique of Pure Rea¬
son}^14 In the summer semester of 1789, Kant lectured for the first time for
only nine hours, and he never increased his hours again. Part of the reason
for curtailing his teaching was his health and his advancing age. At sixty-
five Kant found that he could only write in the morning, being too tired for
it in the evening. He now could only work "for two or three hours in the
morning," and every hour of teaching took an hour away from writing. In¬
deed, Kant had noticed around the end of 1789 a "sudden revolution" in
his health. He still felt well enough, but his "inclination to intellectual work,
even to giving lectures had suffered a great change."^1 '^5 In 1789—90 he lec¬
tured on metaphysics to only forty students, but for most of the following
years he still seems to have lectured to between fifty and eighty students in
his public lecture courses in logic and metaphysics.
Given Kant's decline, it is perhaps not surprising that his influence on
the students at the university and in Königsberg began to diminish at this
time.^116 Before, there had been a certain balance in the teaching of phi¬
losophy. Kraus's more "practical" and empiricist approach and Kant's the¬
oretical and abstract style complemented each other quite well. But now
"Kraus's doctrine undeniably acquired a greater weight in teaching and
in reputation."^117 By this time, Kraus had made a virtue of his inability
to write, and he openly declared that his goal was "to survive, not in dead
books, but through men who owe their education to me."^118 While many
people came from outside Königsberg to see Kant, at home his name did
not shine so brightly any longer. Indeed, some who resented his success
now dared to speak more openly about Kant's shortcomings.
Kant was still the most famous philosopher of the Albertina, and some
came to study with him. One of his most important students during this
period was Johann Gottfried Karl Kiesewetter (1766-1819), who was in
the fall of 1788 sent to Königsberg by Frederick William II himself so that
"he could benefit from Kant's oral instructions."^119 The king supported