The Importance of Kant’s Thoughts on the Earthquake for Today

Abstract

Throughout human history, disasters caused by natural events have significantly affected the living world and caused great damage. Earthquake, also referred to as earthquake or zelzele, is one of the main natural events that cause loss of life and property. Important scientific studies have been carried out in the past and present on the source of a natural event such as earthquake and the damages it causes. In these studies, it has been emphasised that the construction of buildings in accordance with geographical conditions is important in terms of reducing the possible damages caused by earthquakes. On the other hand, natural disasters and earthquakes have also been a subject of interest for philosophers in the historical process. As a matter of fact, when the literature is examined, it is known that Thales and his students Anaximandros and Anaximenes put forward ideas about earthquakes. It is seen that these ideas bear the traces of the transition from mythological narratives to philosophical/rational understanding. However, in the later periods of the Middle Ages, similar to mythological narratives, natural events were interpreted as “God’s punishment” in religious and cultural terms [...]