Kahler, Johannes

Kahler, Johannes, a Lutheran theologian of some note, was born at Wolmar, Hesse Cassel, Jan. 20, 1649, and was educated at the University of Giessen. He began his lectures at that university in 1673 on the Cartesian philosophy, and became one of its ablest exponents. — In 1677 he was called as extraordinary professor of metaphysics to Rinten, and shortly after was promoted to the full or ordinary professorship. In 1683 he became also professor of theology. He died May 17, 1729. Kahler was highly esteemed by his contemporaries, and enjoyed the confidence and good will of his colleagues to such a degree that he was chosen rector at six different elections. His writings, consisting mainly of dissertations on theology and philosophy, were collected and printed in 2 vols. 12mo. See Allgenm. Hist. Lex. vol. 3:s.v.; Jocher, Gelehrten Lexikon, vol. ii, s.v., gives a complete list of Kahler's productions.