In Immanuel Kant’s chapter, The Enlightenment Spirit: An Overview, defines enlightenment as “a man’s release from self-incurred tutelage”. He continues, “For any single individual to work himself out of the life under tutelage which has been almost his nature is very difficult He come to be fond of this state, and he is for the present really incapable of making use of his reason, for no one has ever let him try it out”. Therefore because man’s freedom is limited he cannot reach the enlightenment. “If only freedom is granted, enlightenment is sure to follow”. However, Kant states that there will always be some individual thinkers which will break away from the publics’ thought and create new, fresh ideas.
Kant says that achieving true Enlightenment takes time. He says personal despotism and oppression may deliver Enlightenment, but this will never amount to a true reform in ways of thought. This process is very circular because new ideas and prejudices will only add to the existing prejudices. This great mass of restraints will hold the public thoughts tighter and tighter. Therefore, in order to attain Enlightenment, new ways of thought must emanate from individuals. However, these new prejudices will only be the source of more chains for those still under tutelage.
Is it possible for everyone to truly reach Enlightenment if the process is circular?
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