Week 4: Enlightenment Theory/Criticism (Reflection) Are you Enlightened?

Last week’s class discussion consisted of many topics that focused on Enlightenment Theory and Criticism.  The reading that I thought to be very interesting is the article entitled “What is Enlightenment” by Immanuel Kant.  Kant illustrates that one must obtain courage to be able to understand what they encounter about their environment.  Kant also explores the idea that the reason why he finds men to be lazy and cowardice is because they do not know how to do things for themselves.  He demonstrates that people who rely on others, results in a very immature form of nature.  For example, he states, “If I have a book to serve as my understanding, a pastor to serve as my conscience, a physician to determine my diet for me, and so on, I need not exert myself at all” (Kant).  This is a very significant quote because it symbolizes the idea that people in this world are incredibly lethargic and perhaps exert too much trust in others.  He illustrates how people do not have to ability to think for themselves and so become constricted.  Since they have other people who are constantly putting forth the effort and taking care of all their problems, men become incredibly sluggish to even complete the simplest of tasks.  He elaborates even further by exemplifying the idea that men, who reach this state, do not realize the danger and threat that they are exerting on themselves.    They become incapable of living their lives because they have “guardians” who will make sure that they stay unenlightened and indolent. 

            I also enjoyed the first group presentation about Classical Literary Criticism, more specifically about the sublime and what we universally think attributes to sublime characteristics.  For example, the first video that the presenters showed us was a very colorful and to me, an incredibly sublime scene of a particular movie.  However, some classmates disagreed that this first clip was not quite as sublime to them as the other clips that were shown.  However, this explores the idea that the sublime can be very subjective. I think the sublime comes in many different forms and touches people in various ways.  To me, the sublime represents something that stays with you forever and constantly surprises and entices you no matter how many times you have experienced it.  For me, the sublime is a beautiful, breathtaking, and stirring experience that leaves you in an enlightened state of mind.