Kants Anteil an der Drucklegung der ‚Streitschrift gegen Eberhard‘ (1790, 1791)

Abstract This study examines Immanuel Kant’s involvement in the publication process of his On a Discovery, whereby Any New Critique of Pure Reason is to be Made Superfluous by an Older One (1790, 1791) based on three letters from Friedrich Nicolovius to Johann Jacob Gebauer. It highlights Kant’s meticulous preparation of the manuscript, his instructions for printing, and his post-publication corrections, including a typographical error in Greek. Despite Kant’s efforts, the first edition contained errors, some of which were addressed in the second edition, primarily through the work of Gebauer’s staff. The study challenges previous assumptions about Kant’s editorial involvement, emphasizing his limited role during the printing process. It also underlines the need for further research into the production history of Kant’s works. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of Kant’s relationship with publishers and the logistical challenges of 18th-century book production.