In the reading, “What is Enlightenment?” by Kant is based upon the “… freedom to make public use of one’s reason in all matters (p.55, 3rd paragraph).” This quote taken by the reading is something that one needs to ask them self, what does this mean? After reading Kant’s ideas several times one begins to have an understanding of what he thought society was doing and what they could achieve. Kant’s idea of “public use” will help a man to break through his immaturity and at the end would want to gain a kind of enlightenment, to produce their own way of thinking (p. 54-55). As one continues reading the break down and later the break through of his ideas are established.
Kant understands that everyone who has reached that level of maturity doesn’t need the guidance of anyone to say what they want. But at the same time they have limited freedom when belonging to a certain institution. In his writing he gives a couple examples of this such as, “… the officer receiving an order…” also “… the citizen cannot refuse to pay taxes…” and for Kant the important one “… clergyman is bound to instruct his pupils and his congregation in accordance with the doctrines…(p.56)” These were all examples he gave relating to different people having the same kind of law they must obey which was to do what was said of them. He stated a kind of slogan that kept people in line; which was to, “ Argue as much as you like and about whatever you like, but obey! (p. 55 and p. 59).” This basically meant that you were free to say whatever you wanted but there were limits and also says that only a certain kind of limits can prevent enlightenment (p.55 at the bottom). It’s more of a hard decision than an easier one because your not really sure how far you can go with your own ideas. He than continues to state that if one uses their thoughts, and it’s all right to do so, than one would be able to get to reach enlightenment (p.55).
The main example given about the clergyman is something that must be mentioned thoroughly. The clergyman’s position is at a level of already authority to the church and what he preaches can contain certain thoughts that may not always agree with the doctrines that are already written (p.56). One would think, what would happen if this authority figure doesn’t always agree with everything that is written? This question was easily answered as one continues to read because he than mentions if the clergyman doesn’t agree with the meaning of religion and decides to preach it than he isn’t fulfilling his duties and should instead quit his job (p.56- 57). Kant’s answer regarding the “public use” in this case made one realize that his logic on letting one express their thoughts is to be able to be free to say anything but just not passing boundaries.
