In his essay “What is Enlightenment?” Immanuel Kant defines enlightenment as “the emergence of man from his self-imposed immaturity” (Kant, 1). To fully understand this definition, we must first understand what Kant meant by “immaturity.” In his writings, Kant defines immaturity as “the inability to use one's understanding without the help of another” (Kant, 1). Furthermore, Kant believes that this immaturity is self-imposed and that it is the fault of the individual if he lacks the courage and determination to think for himself, but instead pays others to think and understand in their place. I basically agree with this idea, however, his remarks about immaturity in relation to government, how people should live, and religion are quite brash and irrational. Likewise, I agree that people should be able to live freely and think for themselves, but I disagree that they should live without rules, regulations, or government. In his essay, Kant says: “. If I have a book that serves as my understanding, a pastor that serves as my conscience, a doctor that determines my diet for me, etc., I do not need to exercise at all. I don't need to think, if only I can pay: others will happily do the tedious work for me. » (Kant, 1). Kant believes that these gatekeepers restrict our minds and rob us of the ability to think for ourselves. However, I believe that these same guardians are those entities that help nourish our minds and allow us to think for ourselves. How could books, a source of wisdom, knowledge and novelties, be bad for us? There is nothing wrong with acquiring new knowledge. In the context of enlightenment, Kant believes that freedom is the best way to achieve enlightenment. Freedom Accord ... middle of paper ... there has always been a leader to guide the people through their trials. This leader can be anything from a tribal leader to the president of a country. Society in its modernity is collapsing without anyone to lead it. In my opinion, it is better to have a wise and just leader than to have none. Finally, Kant saw the world as he wanted to see it, and not its reality. In reality, human beings are social animals who can be deceived and become irrational, this distinction is what makes us human and it is what makes us make mistakes. Kant makes good arguments in his essay, but his belief that people are enslaved and chained by "guardians" when he writes "the chains of permanent immaturity" (Kant, 1) is sometimes absurd when the same guards are people who encourage our spirit. of thought.Works citedKant, Immanuel. "What is Enlightenment?”