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Kant, What Is Enlightenment ? (1784)

Kant, What Is Enlightenment ? (1784). A running commentary by Friedel Weinert. Kant, Enlightenment. Kant’s Definition Enlightenment = emergence from self-inflicted immaturity. Immaturity = inability to use one’s own reason, without external guidance.

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Kant, What Is Enlightenment ? (1784)

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  1. Kant, What Is Enlightenment? (1784) A running commentary by Friedel Weinert FWeinert, Bradford University, UK

  2. Kant, Enlightenment Kant’s Definition Enlightenment = emergence from self-inflicted immaturity. Immaturity = inability to use one’s own reason, without external guidance. Self-inflicted immaturity often due to laziness and cowardice of individuals. Motto for the lazy: Sapere Aude! Kant proposes a Categorical Imperative of Thinking: Examine yourself whether any particular idea, reason and rule can be generalised. This should free us from prejudices and superstitions. • This is only the first aspect: Self-emancipation FWeinert, Bradford University, UK

  3. Kant, Enlightenment • There is a second aspect: Political/social emancipation Sometimes immaturity is due to shackles imposed by society: lack of political freedom [dictatorship], social and intellectual inhibitions [religious tyranny/ideologies] Freedom to use one’s reason, not political revolution, allows an entire public to enlighten itself. • Private use of reason is restricted • in professional functions • disobedience would destroy order • does not hinder public enlightenment • Public use of reason must be free • in learning • in reading public • helps enlightenment FWeinert, Bradford University, UK

  4. Kant, Enlightenment • There is a third aspect: Cultural Emancipation Enlightenment is not a one-off, unique effort The emergence from immaturity is a historical process: a) on personal level: sapere aude b) on society level: education and culture progress The obstruction of - political and cultural -progress would be against humannature. Test for laws and decrees which can be imposed on a people: would a people impose such a law/decree upon itself? FWeinert, Bradford University, UK

  5. Kant, Enlightenment • From Generation to Generation • It is impermissible to agree, even for a single lifetime, to a permanent religious constitution which no-one might publicly question. • Renouncing enlightenment - shaking off of ignorance, increase in empirical knowledge - either for one’s own person or for later generations would be a violation of the sacred rights of mankind. Perfectibility FWeinert, Bradford University, UK

  6. Kant, Enlightenment • From Monarch to People • a monarch has no rightto impose a halt in the enlightenment process on his people • the monarch’s legislative authority rests on the will of the people • rejection of censorship • Does Kant live in an enlightened Age? • No, but in an age of Enlightenment • Towards religious freedom and tolerance FWeinert, Bradford University, UK

  7. Kant, Enlightenment • Focal Points of the Enlightenment • Religious Matters • Legislation • The old tension between public and private use of reason FWeinert, Bradford University, UK

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