Critique of Pure Reason
Critique of Pure Reason (Kritik der reinen Vernunft) is Immanuel Kant's major work of philosophy, first published by Johann Friedrich Hartknoch in Riga in 1781, with a revised second edition in 1787. It asks how synthetic a priori judgements are possible and whether metaphysics can be a science.
- Editions tracked
- 3
- First edition
- Johann Friedrich Hartknoch, 1781
- First published
- Johann Friedrich Hartknoch, Riga, 1781
- First UK edition
- William Pickering, 1838
The first edition of Critique of Pure Reason by Immanuel Kant was published in Riga by Johann Friedrich Hartknoch in 1781. We track 3 editions.
Which edition do you have?
First edition
- 1st Johann Friedrich Hartknoch1781 Other I own Critique of Pure Reason, Johann Friedrich Hartknoch 1781 Log in to want this
Later and other editions
- William Pickering1838 Hardback I own Critique of Pure Reason, William Pickering 1838 Log in to want this
- Henry G. Bohn1855 Hardback I own Critique of Pure Reason, Henry G. Bohn 1855 Log in to want this
We have not yet researched the issue points for this book. If you know how to tell the first from later printings, tell us and we will credit you once it is checked against a second source.
Awards, adaptations and setting
Adaptations
- The Essence of Christianity adaptation, 1841
- Kritik des Herzens adaptation, 1874
- Substance and Function adaptation, 1910
Read next
In print
- Editions recorded
- 160 on Open Library, 93 in English
- Wikipedia
- Articles in 50 languages
- Free to read
- Project Gutenberg (out of copyright in the US)
From Wikidata and Open Library, both CC0. A prize or a new adaptation often lifts demand for the first printing.
Pictures of the book
Freely licensed pictures of the work. They are not necessarily the edition you hold: check the points on each edition's page.
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Read the guide →Frequently asked questions
Who published the first edition of Critique of Pure Reason?
The first edition of Critique of Pure Reason by Immanuel Kant was published in Riga by Johann Friedrich Hartknoch in 1781.
How many editions of Critique of Pure Reason are there?
We track 3 editions of Critique of Pure Reason, including 1 first edition. Each has its own page with how to identify it.
Has Critique of Pure Reason been adapted?
Yes, including Substance and Function (adaptation, 1910), Kritik des Herzens (adaptation, 1874), The Essence of Christianity (adaptation, 1841), according to Wikidata.
What should I read after Critique of Pure Reason?
In order, it is followed by Critique of Practical Reason, Prolegomena to Any Future Metaphysics, according to Wikidata.
Can I read Critique of Pure Reason for free?
Yes: the text is out of copyright in the United States and free to read on Project Gutenberg. Collectors still pay for the first edition, which is the physical object, not the words.
Where these facts come from
- Critique of Pure Reason, Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)
- Critique of Pure Reason editions, Open Library (openlibrary.org)
- Critique of Pure Reason, Wikidata (wikidata.org)
Every fact on this page was checked against the sources listed. Checked 18 October 2026. Reviewed by Harriet Ellis; read how we check facts.