Human beings have always sought to understand the world around them. But modern natural science, which has revolutionized our everyday life, arose only in the 17th century. Researchers such as Galileo Galilei and Isaac Newton developed a new method: according to clear and verifiable rules they conducted experiments in order to recognize the laws of nature.
This rational, systematically verifiable procedure was a model for Enlightenment thinkers such as Kant. From his perspective natural science had thereby already established a foundation for secure acquisition of knowledge, which philosophy still lacked. For just as there is only one science for all human beings, so, according to Kant, there must also be a common philosophy, based on reason and valid for all.