Увод към дискусия върху Кантовия „Отговор на въпроса: Що е Просвещение?”
Introduction to a Discussion on Kant’s “Answer to the Question: What is Enlightenment?”

Summary/Abstract: The text is an introduction to a discussion with students of the European College for Liberal Arts in Berlin (ECLA), at present Bard College Berlin, which took place in February 2011 at the college. I begin with a brief introduction to Kant’s life and works. Then I describe the conditions around the preparation and publication of Kant’s paper and the main accents in it. Finally, in order to facilitate the discussion I put forward following questions: 1) Why do people who are used to the convenience of “immaturity” would be willing to escape out of it? 2) What would be the reasons of “enlightened” people, especially among the “guardians”, to promote enlightenment for the others and not to create any obstacles to it? 3) How are we supposed to understand the role of “the man of learning” to which role Kant links the public use of reason? Who are the “men of learning” – the educated individuals, the intellectuals or the philosophers? 4) If the change in the church teachings is acceptable as result of a public discussion and criticism, then what will be the criteria to decide what changes are to be or not to be adopted? 5) What could be the threats to the state in result of the religious freedom (according to Kant they are imaginary)? 6) How should we understand the human dignity?

• Details
• Contents