“What is Enlightenment?”

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Born 1724
German Philosopher
 Epistemology [theory of knowledge], Ethics [moral philosophy], Aesthetics [art, beauty, taste]
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Kantianism– Kant’s “brand” of Philosophy
Idealism- the group of philosophies which assert that reality, or reality as we can know it, is fundamentally mental, mentally constructed, or otherwise immaterial.
 Influenced subsequent Philosophy

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The categorical imperative ( German : Kategorischer Imperativ) is the central philosophical concept in the deontological moral philosophy of Immanuel
Kant . Introduced in Kant's 1785 Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals , it may be defined as a way of evaluating motivations for action.
According to Kant, human beings occupy a special place in creation, and morality can be summed up in one ultimate commandment of reason, or imperative, from which all duties and obligations derive. He defined an imperative as any proposition declaring a certain action (or inaction) to be necessary .
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Hypothetical imperatives apply to someone dependent on them having certain ends to the meaning: if I wish to quench my thirst, I must drink something; if I wish to acquire knowledge, I must learn.
A categorical imperative, on the other hand, denotes an absolute, unconditional requirement that asserts its authority in all circumstances, both required and justified as an end in itself. It is best known in its first formulation:
Act only according to that maxim whereby you can, at the same time, will that it should become a universal law
-- This is our duty; it is “moral law”– our MORAL OBLIGATIONS.

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Kant’s major work
Hoped to end the era of “skepticism”
Process experience through REASON.
BUT
Need to marry the EMPIRICAL (what is known to us through experience) with the
RATIONAL (what is known to us through reason; innate ideas)

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A question that appeared in a publication and called for responses. Posed by Rev. Johann
Zollner, an official in the Russian government.
His essay was printed in the Berlin Monthly in
1784.
Many intellectuals responded, but his article is the most famous.

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Enlightenment = Maturity
Enlightenment = Choice
Enlightenment = Courage
DARE TO KNOW

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“enlightenment is man’s release from his selfincurred tutelage.”
In order for man to understand, we must have direction from another.
We all have the ability to reason, but not all of us choose to use it.
“Have courage to use your own reason”– to defy, when necessary.
Defy tradition.

 Self-Incurred Bondage– External & Internal
 EXTERNAL
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Political
Legal
Environmental
 --These chains can’t always be broken, nor should they be.

 Internal Bondage
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Ignorance
Laziness
Cowardice
 We must eradicate these “internal bondages” completely.

 Internal Bondage– Laziness & Cowardice:
 We pay others to think for us. We pass off our jobs. But, we need an active will to become enlightened.
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“a pastor who acts as my conscience”
“a doctor who prescribes my diet”
“I have no need to think if only I can pay.”

 This enlightenment requires nothing but freedom--and the most innocent of all that may be called "freedom": freedom to make public use of one's reason in all matters.
Now I hear the cry from all sides: "Do not argue!" The officer says: "Do not argue--drill!" The tax collector: "Do not argue--pay!" The pastor: "Do not argue--believe!" Only one ruler in the world says: "Argue as much as you please, but obey!" We find restrictions on freedom everywhere.
But which restriction is harmful to enlightenment? Which restriction is innocent, and which advances enlightenment? I reply: the public use of one's reason must be free at all times, and this alone can bring enlightenment to mankind.”

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Necessary for enlightenment but almost impossible to attain “full” freedom.
Restrictions on absolute freedom.
Some restrictions are even necessary.
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Private use of reasoning (should be restricted)
Public use of reasoning (should be free)

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 Applies to institutions: offices, military, churches, etc.
“At times a person must abide with prescribed limitations of office, community and other social institutions. For example, if we are employee in an office we must obey the boss, if we are citizen of the state, we must pay tax, as a religious person he or she should follow the ecclesiastical parameters. But where people are in public, they are, they can comment upon taxation, criticize the boss and utilize their own reason. Public use of reason is that kind of reason which is utilized as a scholar, as a critic, as a philosopher unlike private use of reason.”
(Civility)

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Q: So, why is freedom sometimes restricted?
A: Because people are representatives.
Example: A person who is part of the clergy isn’t free to say anything against the doctrine they are representing.
Public vs. Private
Example: Priest speaking at mass (private)
Example: Journalist writing for the paper
(public)
Private CAN be restricted, Public CAN’T.

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Aufklarung=Enlightenment
Philosophic movement of 18 th century
* Question Authority * Heightened interest in politics & culture *Emphasis on the empirical method (collect date, form conclusion) in science.
Center of thought was in France [Voltaire,
Rousseau, D’Alembert & Diderot
(Encyclopedie)]; In America [Benjamin
Franklin, Thomas Paine]; German thinkers embraced the movement as well.

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Neoclassicism refers to Western movements in the visual arts, literature, theatre, music, and architecture that drew inspiration from
“classical” art & culture of Ancient Greece &
Rome.
Coincided with the Enlightenment & continued into the early 19 th century.

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Kant praises this FTG, who was King of Prussia
(1740-1786).
He made no attempt to regulate religious life.
He permitted the “public use of reason”: Argue as much as you like, but obey!
People were free to express/publish opinions, arguments, and criticisms for public discussions
& debate.
However, our jobs should be done without complaint: teacher, military officer, clergyman, etc. This is necessary in order to maintain CIVIL
ORDER.

 What does Kant mean by “enlightenment?”
 Why does he think this is hard for us to accomplish?
 How does enlightenment spread?
 Why is free speech so important to Kant?
 Can we ever be satisfied?
 What keeps people from learning?

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Freedom to publish and publicly debate
Free thought would develop and alter the character of the people
This would, in turn, influence the principles of government
Civil freedom would arise
Concern with religious authority– fear this may try to deter freedom of thought
FINAL QUESTION: Do we live in an enlightened age, some 200+ years after
Kant? And, Should there be any limits on freedom of speech?

 DARE TO KNOW!
 Have the courage to use your own understanding!
 But remember, “you KANT always get what you want!” –Hedwig and the Angry Inch