Introduction
Numerous philosophers and thinkers have discussed the concept of Enlightenment for centuries, but perhaps no philosopher has done more to shape modern understandings than Immanuel Kant. Kant was a German philosopher who lived during the 18th century. His views on the Enlightenment helped define the movement and inspired many others to pursue it. This essay will discuss Kant’s definition of the Enlightenment and its implications for the modern world.
Kant’s Views on Enlightenment
Kant’s definition of Enlightenment was man’s emergence from his self-imposed immaturity. According to Kant, man is immature and must be made to realize his potential (Vaughn 323). He argued that man is an autonomous being capable of making his own decisions but is too often manipulated by external forces.
Kant suggested that man must become aware of his autonomy and use it to make decisions rather than relying on external forces. In other words, Kant states that the Enlightenment is achieved when people are no longer dependent on others to tell them what to think and do and instead can make their own decisions based on their rational judgment (Vaughn 326). For him, Enlightenment is an individual process that requires them to think for themselves and come to their own conclusions about the world around them.
His standpoint on morality is closely tied to his views on the Enlightenment. Thus, Kant argues that reason is the only tool that can provide the individual with the ability to make informed decisions and judgments (Vaughn 324). He emphasizes that individuals should be guided by their moral principles and use reason and judgment to make moral decisions. Additionally, he believed people should use their judgment to determine right and wrong and should not be bound by external sources of authority.
Kant also argued that the Enlightenment was a collective process that could only be achieved if people worked together. According to Kant, the pursuit of Enlightenment was a communal effort, and it required the collaboration of individuals to achieve it (Vaughn 325). This means that individuals must take an active role in questioning authority and pushing for progress. Kant believed that it was the responsibility of governments to provide an environment in which free thought could thrive and be expressed.
Education was an important part of the Enlightenment process. Kant contended that education was essential for individuals to think critically and logically about the various issues and questions they would face, emphasizing that it was key to understanding the world and learning how to think for oneself (Vaughn 323). He also discussed the practical importance of applying the knowledge gained through education to create a better society, thus making it an essential part of the enlightenment process.
Conclusion
Overall, Kant’s definition of Enlightenment is one of the most influential and essential views on the concept in the history of philosophy. Kant argued that the Enlightenment was an individual process that required freedom of thought and expression and a collective effort to achieve. His views on the Enlightenment helped shape the modern understanding of the concept, and his ideas continue to inspire people today.
Work Cited
Vaughn, Lewis. Philosophy here and now. 4th ed., Oxford University Press, 2021.