The Freedom to Think

Reading: Kant, “An Answer to the Question, What is Enlightenment?” (Blackboard).

Writing: Respond to ONE of the following prompts. Keep your response short, posting as a reply under the appropriate heading in the comments section:

1. Kant opens with a provocative claim, “Enlightenment is the human being’s emergence from his self-incurred minority.” Tease out his meaning—whether by reference to a dictionary or to what he goes on to say in later ¶s. Alternatively, comment on Kant’s rhetorical strategy in employing this metaphor.
2. A page later, Kant suggests that enlightenment depends crucially on freedom. But what sort of freedom, exactly? And why does it require courage to exercise it?
3. Comment on a detail or oddity that catches your eye.