Kant's Influence On College Students

Kant’s thoughts do apply today because we as college students face the challenge of learning to think for ourselves despite the self-imposed obstacles and the authorities that compel us to remain ignorant or self-assured in one way of thinking. Also, as students with the opportunity to learn and enlighten ourselves, we must promote a society where the freedom to rationalize and learn is protected and available.
Many self-imposed distractions threaten our learning at college as well other outside influences compel us to remain self-assured in our own comfort zones of beliefs. The reason to come to college is to reach a higher level of understanding in this world, but many things can get in the way of this learning. Kant writes that "laziness …show more content…
Kant states that “For this enlightenment, however, nothing is required but freedom…” (Kant 5). The freedom to think for oneself without consequence is absolutely imperative when developing a sense of individual thinking. Otherwise, what point is there to think freely if it is meaningless? To reach a higher level of understanding of the world one must have the ability to freely think. As students at a university it is important for us allow for a safe space for any and all perspectives if this institution is to do its job. As scholars we have the “complete freedom, even the calling, to communicate to the the public,” (6). So long as members of a society do this in a passive way in order to keep the peace and avoid violent and destructive outcomes. Enlightenment of a society is a long gradual process that requires patience. Kant states that abrupt revolution or change never brings about “true reform in ways of thinking,” rather it creates similar cleavages within society (4). Beligerant civil disobedience or rapid change damages the space for free thinkers to communicate their ideas. Individuals cannot be afraid to voice their complainants otherwise the ability to enlighten will be stunted, and the perspectives we are exposed to are limited. Freedom is necessary for the ability to enlighten oneself. This being said, as students and future contributing members of society, it should be our duty to protect and uphold a society where discontent can be freely communicated without fear of repercussions. Whether these repercussions are social, imposed by the government, or do to environmental dangers such as crime, as students provided with the means to attain this enlightenment, it is our obligations to advocate for a world where this freedom is widely