ENTREPRENEURIAL EDUCATION THROUGH A KANTIAN LENS: BUILDING A PHILOSOPHICAL MODEL

Abstract

This study proposes a philosophical framework for entrepreneurship education grounded in Immanuel Kant's moral theory. Amid growing concerns about the ethical deficiencies in contemporary entrepreneurial practices and training, the research argues for a shift from outcome-oriented models to value-driven education. Drawing on Kantian concepts such as moral autonomy, the categorical imperative, and the principle of humanity, the study highlights the potential of deontological ethics to guide ethical reasoning and principled decision-making among aspiring entrepreneurs. The study adopts a qualitative philosophical research approach, specifically conceptual analysis, to examine how Kant's ethical framework can inform the development of entrepreneurial education curricula that prioritize integrity, social responsibility, and moral decision-making alongside economic success. The research discovered that integrating Kantian ethics into entrepreneurial education fosters self-discipline, ethical reasoning, and purpose-driven innovation among learners. It concludes that entrepreneurial education framed through Kantian principles promotes moral responsibility, which is essential for long-term societal development. The paper recommends that policymakers and educators infuse entrepreneurial curricula with moral philosophy, particularly Kantian ideals, to cultivate ethical entrepreneurs capable of balancing profitability with integrity.