Immanuel Kant was an influential German philosopher born in 1724. He is best known for his work in epistemology and ethics, particularly through his books like Critique of Pure Reason and Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals. Kant introduced the concept of the "categorical imperative," which suggests that moral actions should be universally applicable. Kant's philosophy emphasized the importance of reason and autonomy in human decision-making. He argued that individuals should act according to principles that could be accepted as universal laws. His ideas laid the groundwork for modern philosophy and continue to impact various fields, including ethics, political theory, and metaphysics.