rosekk's review
4.0
I wasn't convinced by everything I read in this (once again I find myself too cynical to really be convinced by anything that seems to rest on the general assumption that people can follow a logical line of thought and both identify and act in their own interest...). In spite of that, I liked reading this. Kant has a reputation for being a bit dry (and I've read bits of this other work which prove it's not undeserved), but this felt relatively easy to read.
bookwaffle's review
2.0
Kant my man, I am deeply disappointed in you.
Although to be fair, Kant has some decent points about enlightenment and a person thinking for themselves, I feel like he is highly wishy-washy. I do understand that this book was first of all written under different circumstances. Still, if we are to be rooted to think for ourselves and escape immaturity, then we ought to be able to reach conclusions that align with our thoughts and use our ability to think without the guidance of another.
Although to be fair, Kant has some decent points about enlightenment and a person thinking for themselves, I feel like he is highly wishy-washy. I do understand that this book was first of all written under different circumstances. Still, if we are to be rooted to think for ourselves and escape immaturity, then we ought to be able to reach conclusions that align with our thoughts and use our ability to think without the guidance of another.
moudi's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
I have placed the main point of enlightenment - the escape of men from their self-incurred tutelage - chiefly in matters of religion because our rulers have no interest in playing guardian with respect to the arts and sciences and also because religious incompetence is not only the most harmful but also the most degrading of all
aniexrouge's review
3.0
It seems to me he would be the kind of person who push people to think by themselves about climate change but then they get mad because big corporations are introducing ways to fight against it. Yes, we understand it may be just a hoax through what we called "greenwashing" and also, the fact that big corporations are the real enemy and responsible for it. So, what do we do? The real freedom is when you do things that no one is paying you for, and that must be the case for hobbies and leisure but i guess i'll have to eat, so Kant, show me the ideal world when we don't have to work and show me how are gonna live like civilized people when every time there is more population. You forget that freedom usually means less reasoning? Yes, I can dream too, Kant.
marystevens's review
5.0
The thesis of this essay is in the first paragraph: dare to know. He thinks custom and cowardice keeps us from thinking for ourselves. Writing under a stable Monarchy but in the period between the American and French Revolutions, Kant is sure that change will come gradually! :). His idea is that Enlightenment Man will use his reason in one of two ways: private reason where a priest decides to preach within the canons of his church and public reason where he might publish a tract questioning articles of belief. Kant, btw, is the one who bridged the Rationality of Descartes and the Empiricism of Locke and Hume by positing that we know and experience the phenomenal world while we have faith in the noumenal world.