What a perfect reading to start off the year! Not only is it an excellent summary of the time period we are about to study and the prevailing thoughts of the time, but it is an excellent call to action for ourselves. The motto of the enlightenment, as Kant describes it, is this: "have courage to use your own reason" (1). As we start this semester of honors, I think that's an important thing to keep in mind. We need to have the courage to think for ourselves. Don't let your professors do all the thinking and talking; join in! Think about what you are being taught, and not just during class. Keep thinking during your free-time. I know most of us would prefer to shut our brains off and let other people do the thinking for us, especially after a long day of classes and homework (I am one of those people). But Kant says that that's one of the easiest ways to stay enslaved to ignorance. The passage where he talks about how laziness prevents enlightenment reminded me a bit of modern Americans in general. Especially these lines: “If I have a book which understands for me, a pastor who has a conscience for me, a physician who decides my diet, and so forth, I need not trouble myself. I need not think, if I can only pay—others will readily undertake the irksome work for me” (1). I know not everyone thinks the way Kant describes here, but it does seem to apply to a large amount of the modern population and it's not a flattering description. So let’s not be like those people. Switch that brain back on and start thinking for yourself. You don’t have to have profound and revolutionary thoughts, just use your brain. Sapere aude!
P.S. I commented on Moriah's and Jamie's posts.
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