Lea Ypi on Kant

Kant was born in 18th century Prussia. He showed great intellectual promise as a child, but didn't make a name for himself until his late forties, when he published his lengthy tome on the scope of Metaphysics, called The Critique of Pure Reason, which unleashed what he himself referred to as a 'Copernican revolution' in thought.

Renowned for his clockwork routine, strict diet and for barely ever leaving his home town of Konigsberg, Kant was in fact a lively and well-loved lecturer and dinner party host, who had many friends.

Choosing the great philosopher is Professor Lea Ypi, from the London School of Economics, who first read Kant at a turbulent time in her life, during a civil war in Albania, when she felt that Kant could help her steer a path between dogmatism and scepticism.

In studio with Lea Ypi and the presenter Matthew Parris, is Kings College Kant scholar, Dr John Callanan.

The Producer in Bristol is Ellie Richold