Enlightenment Quote by Immanuel Kant
![“[To think for oneself] is the maxim of a reason never passive. The tendency to such passivity, and therefore to heteronomy of reason, is called prejudice; and the greatest prejudice of all is to represent nature as not subject to the rules that the understanding places at its basis by means of its…” quote by Immanuel Kant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1a3/immanuel-kant-532_enlightenment_to-think-for-oneself-is-the-maxim-of-a-r_1784587.jpg)
““[To think for oneself] is the maxim of a reason never passive. The tendency to such passivity, and therefore to heteronomy of reason, is called prejudice; and the greatest prejudice of all is to represent nature as not subject to the rules that the understanding places at its basis by means of its own essential law, i.e. is superstition. Deliverance from superstition is called enlightenment; because although this name belongs to deliverance from prejudices in general, yet superstition especially (in sensu eminenti) deserves to be called a prejudice. For the blindness in which superstition places us, which it even imposes on us as an obligation, makes the need of being guided by others, and the consequent passive state of our reason, peculiarly noticeable.””
About This Quote
Source Philosophical Treatise: Critique of Pure Reason, 1781
Thinking independently is essential; passivity leads to prejudice, especially superstition, which blinds reason and requires enlightenment to overcome.
In simple terms: Independent thought prevents prejudice; superstition blinds reason.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate critical thinking and reject unexamined beliefs.
Themes
reason
independence
prejudice
Mood
intellectual
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- education
- scientific inquiry
- personal decision‑making
- public discourse
Key Concepts
philosophy
epistemology
critical thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you recognize when you’re being passive?
- What steps foster true enlightenment?
A Different Perspective
Overcoming deep‑seated beliefs can be socially challenging.
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