Immanuel Kant Analysis

Society shapes the population through a set of guidelines in order to avoid a chaotic method of life. Guidelines are formed through time, evolution, and the emergence of knowledge, by a variety of entitled beings. Philosopher, Immanuel Kant, was one to identify the role enlightenment plays on the human mind. During 1784, he elucidated his findings in the essay An Answer to the Questions: What is Enlightenment, generating an innovative view on human behaviour. The essay constituted the question of how much freedom the average being accurately has. Kant directly correlated freedom to enlightenment which he defined as an ability to disregard all else and think for oneself. He stated this realm of thinking to be mature, while relying on the “guidance

Yet, Kant writes to contradict himself by stating that the use of public reasoning to enforce against an imposed duty by society is wicked. Public reasoning must follow the given guidelines from the greater power. Conversely, private reasoning is the individual’s distinct thinking independent of any guidelines. It is a right to privately reason as long as the individual remains within their boundaries and continues to obey their duties established by society. Kant’s contradiction is clear to assume that he is implying the lack of freedom individuals have. Although, one can reason publically they are not free to practice their distinct opinion and must conserve divergence within the realm of private reasoning. Disobedience creates chaos and a shattered societal system. Genuine freedom is unachievable as there will always be prejudices to shape all. Human enlightenment is constituted and destituted from the diminutive degree of freedom available, as well as the mastering of private reasoning. To attain a certain level of enlightenment, one must overcome the oppressive stances of laziness, blind obedience and

Additionally, he was sure to indicate the significance of following imposed duties, in order to avoid chaos. The population must respect all rules as long as the authority enforces justice. To demonstrate the chaotic outcome of disobedience, regard the case of Edward Snowden. He was a subcontractor who worked for a United States intelligence organization, the National Security Agency. Snowden discovered government files enclosing information about domestic surveillance in which he opposed. His disagreement and independent judgment from the government demonstrated his private reasoning. However, Snowden decided to disobey his duty as an NSA worker by exposing these files to journalists, a well-known filmmaker, and the public. Although the government’s intention of high surveillance was for the greater good, the entire world led to shock and concern after discovering that their privacy was not respected by the government. Snowden breached private reasoning and violated his duty, as an attempt to be free. Unfortunately, complete freedom causes discrepancy and