What is Enlightenment - Classic Text | Alexandria
"""What is Enlightenment"" (Was ist Aufklarung)
""What is Enlightenment,"" published in 1784 by Immanuel Kant in the Berlinische Monatsschrift, stands as one of the most influential essays of the European Enlightenment, offering a revolutionary definition of intellectual autonomy and human progress. This seminal text responds to Reverend Johann Friedrich Zollner's question about the nature of enlightenment, crystallizing the spirit of an age while establishing a philosophical framework that continues to resonate with modern discussions of freedom and rationality.
The essay emerged during a pivotal moment in European intellectual history, when traditional authorities faced unprecedented challenges from rational inquiry and scientific advancement. Kant's response to Zollner's query came amid intense debate about the role of reason in public life, religious authority, and political governance. The philosophical discourse of the 1780s in Prussia, particularly under Frederick the Great's relatively tolerant reign, provided fertile ground for such bold intellectual explorations.
Kant's definition of enlightenment as ""mankind's exit from its self-incurred immaturity"" introduced a revolutionary perspective on human autonomy and responsibility. The essay's famous imperative ""Sapere aude!"" (Dare to know!) became a rallying cry for intellectual independence. Through careful distinction between private and public uses of reason, Kant navigated the delicate balance between individual freedom and social order, introducing concepts that would influence political philosophy, educational theory, and civil rights movements for centuries to come.
The text's enduring significance extends far beyond its historical context, informing contemporary debates about civil liberties, public discourse, and intellectual freedom. Modern scholars continue to draw parallels between Kant's concepts and current challenges to free thought and expression. The essay's central question - about humanity's relationship with authority and the courage required for independent thinking - remains startlingly relevant in an age of digital information and social media echo chambers. This perpetual relevance raises intriguing questions about whether humanity has truly achieved the enlightenment Kant envisioned, or whether his call to intellectual maturity represents an ongoing challenge for each new generation."