The Enlightenment is the release of individual’s opinions and expressions, or as Immanuel Kant puts it, “man’s release from his self-incurred tutelage.”\u00a0 Kant states that\u00a0since\u00a0most of the population has submitted themselves to “guardians [that] have first made their domestic cattle dumb…” most of the population’s competence is therefore laden with “laziness and cowardice”.\u00a0 If\u00a0the masses\u00a0are given freedom,\u00a0“enlightenment is almost sure to follow”, in addition to the independent thinkers within an\u00a0 society.\u00a0 However, a citizen must still obey the government, and must pay taxes, as being a scholar is “not contrary to his duty as a citizen.”<\/p>\n
Frederick II is a great example of an enlightened despot, stating he “must be thoroughly acquainted with its resources, the character of the people.\u00a0 He also states that a ruler must not “waste the money of the people, the taxes which they have paid, in luxury, pomp, or debauchery.”\u00a0 The aspects of these\u00a0duties are largely due to his stance that sovereigns must be civil servants to the people.<\/p>\n
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The Enlightenment is the release of individual’s opinions and expressions, or as Immanuel Kant puts it, “man’s release from his self-incurred tutelage.”\u00a0 Kant states that\u00a0since\u00a0most of the population has submitted themselves to “guardians [that] have first made their domestic cattle … Continue reading