“All that is required for this enlightenment is freedom; and particularly the least harmful of all that may be called freedom, namely, the freedom for man to make public use of his reason in all matters.”

— Immanuel Kant

What is Enlightenment? (1784)
Context: A public can only arrive at enlightenment slowly. Through revolution, the abandonment of personal despotism may be engendered and the end of profit-seeking and domineering oppression may occur, but never a true reform of the state of mind. Instead, new prejudices, just like the old ones, will serve as the guiding reins of the great, unthinking mass.
All that is required for this enlightenment is freedom; and particularly the least harmful of all that may be called freedom, namely, the freedom for man to make public use of his reason in all matters. But I hear people clamor on all sides: Don't argue! The officer says: Don't argue, drill! The tax collector: Don't argue, pay! The pastor: Don't argue, believe!

Adopted from Wikiquote. Last update June 3, 2021. History

Help us to complete the source, original and additional information

Do you have more details about the quote "All that is required for this enlightenment is freedom; and particularly the least harmful of all that may be called fr…" by Immanuel Kant?

Immanuel Kant 200

German philosopher 1724–1804

Related quotes

“Truth enlightens man's intelligence and shapes his freedom.”

Pope John Paul II Veritatis Splendor

Veritatis Splendor §1
Veritatis Splendor (1993)

“My conception of freedom is no narrow conception. It is co-extensive with the freedom of man in all his majesty.”

Mahatma Gandhi (1869–1948) pre-eminent leader of Indian nationalism during British-ruled India

Harijan (June 1942)
1940s

“The freedom of an individual merges in the freedom of all and serves the freedom of all.”

Abd al-Karim Qasim (1914–1963) Prime Minister of Iraq

Speech delivered at the second congress of the peace partisans (April 14, 1959).
Principles of the 14th July Revolution (1959)

“In my opinion it gives us freedom, not the ultimate freedom that all nations desire and develop to, but the freedom to achieve it”

Michael Collins (Irish leader) (1890–1922) Irish revolutionary leader

Regarding the Anglo-Irish Treaty during a parliamentary debate ( Dáil Éireann - Volume T - 19 December, 1921 (DEBATE ON TREATY) http://historical-debates.oireachtas.ie/D/DT/D.T.192112190002.html)
Context: Now as one of the signatories of the document I naturally recommend its acceptance. I do not recommend it for more than it is. Equally I do not recommend it for less than it is. In my opinion it gives us freedom, not the ultimate freedom that all nations desire and develop to, but the freedom to achieve it.