German philosopher Immanuel Kant’s main beliefs about enlightenment are summed up on Page 102 of the reading. He believed that debate, along with the access to information, was the way to enlightenment. I wholeheartedly agree with that belief. As a journalist and radio host, as well as an aspiring lawyer, I know how valuable debate can be. It opens up the minds of all parties debating, allowing for everyone’s ideas and beliefs to manifest themselves in the minds of their counterparts. The access to information is crucial to the success of a debate. In Kant’s time, they had the encyclopedia, as well as newspapers and magazines. Those who had access were able to debate with others about their beliefs about the issues they were debating. With the dawn and importance of the internet today, we not only have access to a plethora of information, but also forums to spread that information to others and debate with others. The spread of ideas between people, whether or not they agree with the ideas, will still expose the parties to a different view on an issue or topic, allowing the people to form their own thoughts and opinions. That, in a nutshell, is enlightenment. The ability to take the ideas of others, and combine them with our own to form our own opinions and ideas ourselves, is the basis of enlightenment for humans.

(Sorry for the late submission, I did not know I was in Group 2 until I checked a few minutes ago).