Beantwortung der Frage: Was ist Aufklärung?

by Immanuel Kant

"Beantwortung der Frage: Was ist Aufklärung?" by Immanuel Kant is an essay published in 1784. Responding to a provocative question posed in a Berlin journal, Kant provides his classic definition of enlightenment and challenges humanity to escape self-imposed immaturity. He argues that people must dare to think independently, free from the comfortable guidance of others. Through his famous motto "Sapere aude!"—dare to know—Kant explores why laziness and fear keep most people intellectually dependent, and what conditions might enable true public enlightenment.