Enlightenment Kant

The enlightenment is a philosophical transition between the 17th and the 18th century, characterized by belief in human reason and revolutions in political, religious and educational principles (Enlightenment last updates 2015). Many philosophers have tried to answer the question, what is enlightenment, the most influential philosopher believed to have answered this question is Immanuel Kant in his text “An Answer to the question: What is enlightenment?” Kant in his argument states three main points: firstly how people become immature, secondly how people break out of immaturity and thirdly the link between enlightenment and religion. However Some Philosophers including Michel Foucault and Bertrand Russell have critiqued Kant’s work in relation to the ever changing modern world and there different opinions on
Through the key points of individuals becoming immature, people obtaining enlightenment and the issue with religion and enlightenment created an argument for what is enlightenment. Kant has used his own life experiences to explain how individuals are stuck in an immaturity which has led them to become lazy however he suggests obedience and public and private reasoning as a way to break out of immaturity. Moreover he suggests that beliefs including religion are preventing individuals from having their own beliefs for example having only one religious belief may affect generations to come. But philosophers including Michel Foucault, Bertrand Russell and Karl Marx hold different opinions on what they think enlightenment such as the different definitions of immaturity. Although there are different opinions on Kant’s work the argument is still considered the most famous response to the question “what is enlightenment” and is still being studied