Compare and contrast Kant and Foucault’s understanding of the
enlightenment.
According to Outram (1995: 1-3), the subject of enlightenment has created
several questioning and argument among social scientist and writers across the
globe. Nevertheless, the appearance of man from his self-inflicted immaturity can be
described in what is called enlightenment (Kant, 1784 Cited in Outram, 1995: 2).
Immaturity in this case is the incapability to utilize one’s knowledge without the
supervision or direction from any other (Kant, 1784:1). The self-inflicted immaturity is
not in lack of knowledge in itself but rather the lack of audacity and determination to
utilize this understanding without the direction from another. This can be seen in the
motto of enlightenment which is “Have courage to use your own understanding!”
(Kant, 1784:1). The church has power says Kant. On the other hand, man’s
representation is generally occupied and presented in the process of philosophical
ethos and the power in the attitude of modernity says Foucault (Foucault, 1984: 5-6).
For the purpose of this essay aims to explore, compare and contrast Kant and
Foucault’s understanding of the enlightenment.
In Kant’s view, weakness and laziness is the reason behind the immaturity of large
amount of people over a long period of time, even though nature has given them
freedom from alien supervision. This has made it very easy for other to institute or
introduce itself as man’s guardians. Being immature is very easy says Kant. There is
no need to utilize my understanding if i have pastor to function as my scruples, a
book to also serve as my knowledge, and a physician to ascertain the diet my body
requires (Kant, 1784: 1). There is no reason for me to think if i can afford to pay
1
, some other people so that they can carry out my tiresome works on my behalf
(Guyer, 2006: 648-650).
Kant further explains that, these guardians has also seen the great part of
such immaturity, is the step to being mature as a difficult task and extremely unsafe.
Having the full control of their domestic livestock and knowing fully well that these
being could not make any movement without the awareness of their guardians.
These guardian subsequently demonstrate the risk which gives them a great fear
should they endeavour to do things on their own (Kant, 1784:1). However, in taking
steps to freedom would fall for sometimes and then start to walk alone because the
risk is not very high. As such, this frightens man’s motivation and creates timidity
attitude for them in carrying out other kinds of attempt. Hence, this has become the
nature of man, due to the fact that it is complicated for them to find their way out of
the self-imposed immaturity. In addition, due to the fact that no one has ever
permitted him to utilize his own understanding, he then becomes incapable of using
it, because he is use to such state. Formulas and rules, the use or misuse of
mechanical aids in terms of man’s natural gifts creates menacles of an eternal or
stable immaturity. Even if man took the risk for his freedom would fail since he is not
familiar to such a free movement. However, very few have been successful in
acquiring freedom from immaturity and refining their own minds for a safe course say
Kant (Kant, 1784: 1).
Several critics have spotted changes of accent as in the case of Foucault’s
further thinking with regards to the case of ethics, social responsibility and truth. In
the mind of some scientist in the field theory, this kind of transformation was based
on some particular relaxation with regards to sceptical rigor (Gutting, 1994: 159).
Foucault structuralist tactic promotes Nietzschean-Deleuzean rhetoric forces, power
2
enlightenment.
According to Outram (1995: 1-3), the subject of enlightenment has created
several questioning and argument among social scientist and writers across the
globe. Nevertheless, the appearance of man from his self-inflicted immaturity can be
described in what is called enlightenment (Kant, 1784 Cited in Outram, 1995: 2).
Immaturity in this case is the incapability to utilize one’s knowledge without the
supervision or direction from any other (Kant, 1784:1). The self-inflicted immaturity is
not in lack of knowledge in itself but rather the lack of audacity and determination to
utilize this understanding without the direction from another. This can be seen in the
motto of enlightenment which is “Have courage to use your own understanding!”
(Kant, 1784:1). The church has power says Kant. On the other hand, man’s
representation is generally occupied and presented in the process of philosophical
ethos and the power in the attitude of modernity says Foucault (Foucault, 1984: 5-6).
For the purpose of this essay aims to explore, compare and contrast Kant and
Foucault’s understanding of the enlightenment.
In Kant’s view, weakness and laziness is the reason behind the immaturity of large
amount of people over a long period of time, even though nature has given them
freedom from alien supervision. This has made it very easy for other to institute or
introduce itself as man’s guardians. Being immature is very easy says Kant. There is
no need to utilize my understanding if i have pastor to function as my scruples, a
book to also serve as my knowledge, and a physician to ascertain the diet my body
requires (Kant, 1784: 1). There is no reason for me to think if i can afford to pay
1
, some other people so that they can carry out my tiresome works on my behalf
(Guyer, 2006: 648-650).
Kant further explains that, these guardians has also seen the great part of
such immaturity, is the step to being mature as a difficult task and extremely unsafe.
Having the full control of their domestic livestock and knowing fully well that these
being could not make any movement without the awareness of their guardians.
These guardian subsequently demonstrate the risk which gives them a great fear
should they endeavour to do things on their own (Kant, 1784:1). However, in taking
steps to freedom would fall for sometimes and then start to walk alone because the
risk is not very high. As such, this frightens man’s motivation and creates timidity
attitude for them in carrying out other kinds of attempt. Hence, this has become the
nature of man, due to the fact that it is complicated for them to find their way out of
the self-imposed immaturity. In addition, due to the fact that no one has ever
permitted him to utilize his own understanding, he then becomes incapable of using
it, because he is use to such state. Formulas and rules, the use or misuse of
mechanical aids in terms of man’s natural gifts creates menacles of an eternal or
stable immaturity. Even if man took the risk for his freedom would fail since he is not
familiar to such a free movement. However, very few have been successful in
acquiring freedom from immaturity and refining their own minds for a safe course say
Kant (Kant, 1784: 1).
Several critics have spotted changes of accent as in the case of Foucault’s
further thinking with regards to the case of ethics, social responsibility and truth. In
the mind of some scientist in the field theory, this kind of transformation was based
on some particular relaxation with regards to sceptical rigor (Gutting, 1994: 159).
Foucault structuralist tactic promotes Nietzschean-Deleuzean rhetoric forces, power
2
