An Analysis Of What Is Enlightenment By Kant Philosophy Essay

An Analysis Of What Is Enlightenment By Kant Philosophy EssayThe title of the essay was what is information it was written in 1784, in the essay he staple fibre whollyy replied to a question that was tramp forward an year earlier by Reverand Johann Zollner, he was to a fault a government official. Reverand had posed an open question to all close to removal of clergy from marriages, many heap replied tho the most(prenominal) famous one is by Kant. The essay reflected the present situation that existed when he wrote the essay. The situation had 3 basic characterstics the present was different from the previous eras in some distinct agency, plump for it represented some important upcoming events third it meant that the world was wretched towards something youthful.In his essay Kant discusses the reasons for the absence of enlightenment and what is required from people for enlightenment to flourish.Kant defines enlightenment that a person achieves when he frees himself from i mmaturity that he ca occasiond himself. immatureness to Kant means an inability to be able to think on your consume and to rely on other peoples opinions to make decisions, this also means that a person is immature if he is unable to use his own impression and understanding of things.Kant further explains that the immature person is so because he lets others mold for him and he becomes dependent on help from others so much so that acting and thinking on your own becomes some thing very(prenominal) difficult. Here to explain his argument Kant amazes an analogy of the influence of government on its people with tamed animals, who are trained to not cross a certain boundary without their carts by making the animals aware of the dangers that lie ahead. This makes the cows afraid to even try and see for it self. In the same way the government provides its people with a set of beliefs and ideas that the immature person direct agrees upon and which aids in furthering his immaturity. Kant argues that it is extremely difficult for a man to prepare maturity alone but it is easy for a number of people to do so together. The reason is that when a person instigates relying on others for pleader he finds it increasingly difficult to break out of that pattern and start thinking on his own as any mis simulates he makes depart highlight the defects in his way of thinking. Kant also hints in his essay that a person needs certain qualities to leave immaturity, and these include fearlessness and vigor.Kant goes on to say that if a nightclub was given freedom it will unavoidably become enlightened. This statement seems a little extreme but he goes on to explain further that for enlightenment to reach everyone it should be brought active slowly and gently. Then Kant goes on to explain how and to what extent freedom should be excercised.Kant explains that unrestricted use of freedom is absolutely essential for enlightenment to take dress. He says once people start exp ressing themselves openly in public forums, these thoughts will eventually influence decisions taken by those in positions of authority.The philosopher also ranks out the difference between use of freedom at an individualist level and at a public level. Like I mentioned earlier, to action enlightenment public freedom has to be used, however he says that use of freedom at an individual level is not useful at all.Kant also differentiates between expressing of ones opinions and acting on those opinions, he uses an example of a clergyman at the church. He is appointed on the condition that he will teach the principles laid down by the church so he has to teach them as it is. However he tidy sum point out constructive criticisms in the way of working of the church which ignore then be reviewed by his seniors. thusly Kant points out that one earth-closet not achieve enlightenment without following the laws of the society, he has to obey the laws but at the same time he should feel the courage to notice what he things is wrong or should be changed. So for him any society that does not obey the laws send wordnot achieve enlightenment.Kant lived at a time when Monarchy was prevailing in the world and it was considered one of the best ways of running a country. So a question arises here that is this conjecture acceptable in a democratic environment? My answer is No.Kant says that revolutions are counterproductive as new ideas replace old ones those new ideas are obligate on the immature population like the older ideas were. So concord to Kant the situation brings about no difference but this is not straight for a democratic world where rulers are selected by the people and give the axe be changed if majority of the population is dissatisfied. However one of the unique principles of nation is that people have freedom. They have the freedom to think and either take on to extend the current governments terms or elect a new leader if they are not satisfied with the performance of the current one.Thus it is evident that the slow and gradual change that Kant talks about can be implemented in Monarchial society, it may even be the most efficient way of bringing about change but in a democratic world this is not possible.Another aspect is that in order for a theory to be effective it needs to draw a middle ground between theory and practice. Some philosophers neediness the judgment to make the theory practical others are unable to realized their theory as they lack some form of practical experience. Kants theory is also lacking in some respects.Kants theories in general have a lot been criticized as too vague to be practical and useful. in all human beings live in a certain time point and place. It is a great deal not possible to separate rationality from our personality, so often we ponder over some issues that others are facing in an abstract way but for anything the starting point should be our own situation. It has often been a ssumed by many philosophers that we can be rational and we can put our personalities aside to come up with principles that apply to all, but this is not true. Philosphers like Kant assumed this because most enlightenment thinkers were from the same period and place (Europe) this lead them to think that their answers were rational but they were not, they also reflected the culture that these ideas originated in.Kants theory has resulted in criticism and arguments from many philosophers, however whatever one thinks about this philosophy one thing cannot be ignore i.e. its historical significance. So many years have passed yet Kants theories continue to influence us and the concept of freedom introduced by him has been embraced very clearly by all and thus his work is also very important in portion us understand what enlightenment and freedom is all about.Work CitedKant, Immanuel. An retort to the Question What is Enlightenment?An Answer to the Question What is Enlightenment?(1784). Print.