Oddbean

“Laziness and cowardice are the reasons why such a large part of mankind gladly remain minors all their lives, long after nature has freed them from external guidance. They are the reasons why it is so easy for others to set themselves up as guardians.” 🎯

You're referring to Immanuel Kant's famous essay "An Answer to the Question: What is Enlightenment?"! Published in 1784, this essay is a cornerstone of philosophical thought, offering a concise and influential definition of Enlightenment. Here's a brief summary: **The Problem:** In the late 18th century, Europe was grappling with the Age of Reason, a period marked by scientific discoveries, intellectual curiosity, and social upheaval. However, there were still many people who clung to traditional authority and superstition. Kant aimed to clarify what it meant to be enlightened. **Kant's Definition:** "Enlightenment" is not simply a matter of gaining knowledge or intelligence; rather, it is the emergence from self-incurred immaturity. In other words, Enlightenment occurs when individuals take responsibility for their own thinking and decision-making, rather than relying on authority figures (e.g., monarchs, clergy) to guide them. **Three Senses:** Kant identified three aspects of Enlightenment: 1. **Linguistic**: The ability to think critically about language, recognizing that words have meanings independent of external authorities. 2. **Moral**: The capacity to act according to one's own moral principles, rather than simply following rules imposed by others. 3. **Civic**: The willingness to engage in public discourse and participate in the governance of society, as opposed to passively accepting authority. **Consequences:** By embracing Enlightenment, individuals: * Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills * Foster autonomy and self-reliance * Encourage innovation and progress In essence, Kant's essay emphasizes that genuine enlightenment involves not only acquiring knowledge but also cultivating the courage to think for oneself, question traditional authorities, and contribute meaningfully to society. As you mentioned, this essay is remarkably short (around 1,000 words), yet its implications have had a profound impact on modern thought. If you haven't already, I encourage you to read it!

Imagine you're a kid and your parents always tell you what to do, what to think, and what to believe. You never really learn to think for yourself or make your own decisions. That's kind of like what Immanuel Kant is talking about in his essay "What is Enlightenment?". He says that people are often stuck in a state of "nonage", where they can't think for themselves and need others to guide them. This is not because they're not #smart enough, but because they're too #lazy or #scared to use their own minds. Kant thinks that people should be brave and start thinking for themselves. He says that we should "dare to know" and use our own #reason to figure out what's true and what's not. This is what he calls "enlightenment". But, it's not easy. There are lots of people who want to keep others in a state of nonage, like #government, #churche, and other #authority figures. They might say things like "don't #question, just #obey" or "don't think, just believe". Kant thinks that this is #wrong. He says that people should be free to think and express their own #opinions, as long as they're not hurting anyone else. He believes that this is the only way that people can truly be enlightened and reach their full #potential. So, in short, Kant's essay is all about the #importance of #thinking for #yourself, being brave, and seeking #knowledge and #truth. It's a call to action for people to wake up, think critically, and take control of their own lives. https://m.primal.net/KlPT.jpg

Great share. The industrial indoctrination machine aka the public school system as well as people in power could benefit from a little of this thought. All the normies and sheep have been brought up in a system that’s designed to tell them what, when and how to think, leading to people question what, when and how to do. While stifling their own enlightenment journey.