9
The Old Man (1796-1804)
The Early Years of Retirement (1796-1798):
"Somewhat Changed"J
ACHMANN, who lived outside of Königsberg and who came only a few
times a year to the city, was perhaps in the best position to observe
changes in Kant that would have been more difficult to see for those who
saw him daily, or almost daily. He wrote in 1804:I already found him somewhat changed eight years ago, even though there were some
days when he exhibited his former mental powers. This happened when nature func¬
tioned smoothly. But after this period the decrease of his powers became more notice¬
able... the power of the greatest thinker slowly disappeared until he was completely
incompetent.^1It is this tragedy that still needs to be told.
In the records of the university senate for the winter semester of 1796-97,
the following entry could be found: "Immanuel Kant, Log. et Metaph.
Prof. Ordin. Facult. Phil. Senior: 'I did not give any lectures because of age
and indisposition.'" An entry for the summer of 1797 read: "he could not
lecture because of age and weakness," and the one for the winter of 1797—
98: "could not give lectures because of age and sickness."^2 These notes,
written by Kant himself, show - at least indirectly - that he became inca¬
pable of teaching beginning in the summer of 1796, when he had to cut his
lectures short. This was the very period during which Jachmann noticed
the first signs of mental weakness. This was also a year during which Kant
was supposed to serve as the rector of the university. Yet he declined.^3
His daily life went its regular way — probably it went more regularly than
ever before. Having no duty to lecture, and not going to any of the meet¬
ings of the university senate, Kant now lived a much more withdrawn life
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