These enlightened intellectuals seem to be emphasizing and promoting the human ability to reason. They encourage individual thought and urge humans to question past tradition. The world is not as straightforward as it appears. In fact, it is very complex and very few things are truly certain. To achieve complete certainty in terms of Descartes, we must eliminate all traces of doubt. Although this is a difficult task, it allows us to use our own ability to question and think for ourselves. Kant also addresses this notion of thinking for oneself. He views man as lazy and weak because we “slavishly follow the opinions of authorities” (Kant 105). He believes we should refuse direction from higher authorities because we are just as capable to have our own opinions.

These various texts force readers like myself to question what we think we know to be true and reconsider our understanding of the world. I found myself agreeing with Kant’s argument about tutelage in particular. He describes man as being trapped in a cycle of endless guardians. We always have someone to guide our understanding of the world. How would a lazy and cowardice man be able to break free of this cycle?