Kants Views on Enlightenment Essay -- Philosophy

Kants Views on discretionThe best summary of Kants view of knowledge lies in the first paragraph of his essay An Answer to the Question What is knowledge? Sapere Aude. Translated dare to know, the phrase is the motto of enlightenment. For Kant, enlightenment means rising from the self-imposed stupor which substitutes obedience for reason and which atrophies mans ability to think for himself and develop his natural capacities. Laziness and cowardliness prevent man from enlightening himself, an activity which becomes harder over time since man becomes comfortable and content in his stupor. Likening mankind to livestock, Kant cites the army officer, the pastor, and the physician as guardians who paralyze mans freedom by demanding strict obedience and providing ready-made answers. However, Kant stops short of advocating total civil disobedience the solider must not disobey the orders of his superiors hardly as the citizen must not refuse to pay his taxessuch actions would catal yze dangerous unrest. Instead, both parties should be at total liberty to addre... Kants Views on Enlightenment Essay -- PhilosophyKants Views on EnlightenmentThe best summary of Kants view of Enlightenment lies in the first paragraph of his essay An Answer to the Question What is Enlightenment? Sapere Aude. Translated dare to know, the phrase is the motto of enlightenment. For Kant, enlightenment means rising from the self-imposed stupor which substitutes obedience for reason and which atrophies mans ability to think for himself and develop his natural capacities. Laziness and cowardice prevent man from enlightening himself, an activity which becomes harder over time since man becomes comfortable and content in his stupor. Likening mankind to livestock, Kant cites the army officer, the pastor, and the physician as guardians who paralyze mans freedom by demanding strict obedience and providing ready-made answers. However, Kant stops short of advocating total civil disobedience the solider must not disobey the orders of his superiors righteous as the citizen must not refuse to pay his taxessuch actions would catalyze dangerous unrest. Instead, both parties should be at total liberty to addre...