Immanuel Kant’s essay “What Is Enlightenment?” explores the significance of the enlightenment period as it relates to the evolution of man’s place in society and the universe. Kant states very specifically what his purpose of the essay is outlining that the, “Enlightenment is man’s emergence from his self-imposed nonage.” (203) Moreover, Kant goes on to explain how man’s inability to have thoughts exclusive from guidance hinders his ability to truly experience life.
One of ways that Kant mentions how an enlightenment can usher in change and new ways of thinking is in a revolution. To this extent, Kant states, “This enlightenment requires nothing but freedom…freedom to make public use of one’s reason in all matters.” (204) Reason is one of the key elements to an enlightenment movement that Kant explores. The example that best demonstrates the role of reason in thought process is the example of the officer. Kant states that it is the role of an officer to follow his orders and complete his duty. He does, however, state that an officer, “…as a scholar has full freedom, indeed the obligation, to communicate to his public all his carefully examined and constructive thoughts concerning errors in that doctrine…” (205). Thus although an officer needs to fulfill his duty to the best of his ability, he has the need to question those duties which threaten his morality.
A second and important hindrance to the enlightened experience is religious nonage. Religious constitutions that were not able to be criticized or questioned were some of the worse forms of hindrance that Kant outlines. To this extent, Kant states that such a hindrance, “…must be absolutely forbidden.” (206) In summary, Kant believes that the enlightenment is a necessary part of man’s spiritual evolution. In order to truly appreciate the experience of the enlightenment, man must first criticize the doctrine of what is unknown in order to truly understand the perceived.
Discussion questions:
1) Kant’s belief that rejecting some of one’s religious identity can influence whether or not he had an enlightenment evolution in thought. What can the contrasts from Judaism, Christianity, and Islam mean to reject religious nonage? Was Christianity the only religious nonage Kant was referring to in his essay or could this also pertain to other religious movements?
2) From a philosophical perspective, is it possible for someone to truly reject the teachings of others in decision making, or does human intuition not allow a rejection of historical reference in decision making?
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