Reflection of Immanuel Kant’s “what Is Enlightenment?

Judith Luerssen

Professor Jenks

ENGL 161

03 October 2016

Reflection of Immanuel Kant’s “What is Enlightenment?”

Immanuel Kant declares that the motto of enlightenment is Sapere aude; have the courage to use your own understanding. Kant defines that enlightenment is man’s rise from voluntary nonage. Nonage is the inability to use one’s own understanding without another’s guidance. He declares that the cause of nonage is not because of a lack of understanding. It is the indecision and lack of courage to use one’s own understanding. Kant states that laziness and cowardice are the reasons why a large proportion of mankind chooses to remain oblivious, because it is so “comfortable be a minor.” We have books that think for us, pastors who act as our conscience, physician who prescribe our diet etc., why exert ourselves? We can just have the bothersome things done for us.

Acts of dishonesty, such as plagiarism, demonstrate the very indecision and lack of courage to use one’s own understanding. It is something that is done not out of a lack of understanding but out of the vary laziness and cowardice Kant declares is the reason why it is so difficult for an individual to obtain enlightenment. By ourselves, we tend to rely on others who have more knowledge. We choose not to actually do something we consider “bothersome”, “a waste of my time.”  On the other hand, Kant explains that enlightenment can be achieved more easily by a group. Through the few individuals who have obtained enlightenment through the cultivation of their own minds: “Once such men have thrown off the yoke of nonage, they will spread about them the spirit of a reasonable appreciation of man's value and of his duty to think for himself” (Kant).  After reading Kant’s essay I have realized that as an individual, I too suffer from the nonage. My own indecision and lack of courage to use my own understanding are also to do laziness and cowardice. My irrational fear of failing just one assignment drove me to use another’s work, violating my academic integrity. I realize this also relates to my being in the military because I have been taught, and drilled to live the seven army values, including integrity: do what is right morally and legally. Through Kant’s essay I have been able to learn from this experience and to cast off my own nonage. although it may be difficult to reach enlightenment, it is not impossible and through others I too will be able to reach enlightenment.