THE ROLE OF EDUCATION FOR INDIVIDUAL ENLIGHTENMENT IN KANT

Abstract

Kant defines the enlightenment of the individual as emergence of the individual from a self-inflicted immaturity. In this definition, individuals who are not enlightened are held responsible for their failures. This is because Kant, in this text, implies that the only thing we need to be enlightened as individuals is to be able to use our capacity to think, which is present in every healthy individual. According to this egalitarian understanding of enlightenment, anyone who has the courage and determination to use their mind can be enlightened. However, when we take a closer look at the text and consult Kant's other writings, we see that another factor beyond the individual's control plays a role in whether an individual is enlightened or not. This factor is the individual's upbringing and education. If the education we receive plays a role in our being enlightened, and not everyone is exposed to the education necessary to become enlightened individuals, we can infer that Kant has an elitist approach to enlightenment. In this study, after pointing out the visible tension in Kant's texts about the enlightenment of the individual, I will show that contrary to the elitist attitude popular in his time, Kant adopts an egalitarian approach to enlightenment.