Introduction
Enlightenment in history was an era that appeared in the 18th Century, with many people being stakeholders in this significant change. It was a movement that turned out to be philosophical and intellectual. The ideologies of this era focused on the worth of human contentment, the pursuit of knowledge derived via reason and sensory evidence, and principles such as liberty, progress, toleration, fraternity, constitutional governance, and separation of church and state. Among the many philosophers, Kant was one of the main contributors to the enlightenment, being a German philosopher and one of the enlightenment thinkers. His definition of enlightenment is human liberation from his self-imposed inability to utilize his comprehension without leaning on further counsel (Kant 16). I believe that the US Declaration is an effective representation of Kant’s enlightenment and “maturity”.
The Enlightenment Era
Kant’s definition of enlightenment helps comprehend the nonage of society from an individual, giving this definition a foundation on the ability to live under colonialism on a state or individual basis. He perceives this nonage as “immaturity” that is self-imposed when it emerges from the lack of confidence in the reliability of an individual’s intellect without dependence on another counsel (Kant 19). Kant states that society can gain this form of enlightenment by allowing full-time liberty of the social use of an individual’s intelligence.
Unalienable rights cannot be abandoned, ignored, or deprived of the human race by any means. They are the elementary sections of humankind, the foundation for ethical associations among people, such as the freedom to express oneself in speech and worship and live. During the enlightenment era, these rights liberated people with the knowledge and comprehension of their rights instead of a slavery mindset. It was also a season of introducing doctrine and indoctrination in that individuals started comprehending their worship rights.
It should be noted that the US Declaration reflects what Kant considers enlightenment and “maturity” in the philosophical sense. In other words, it is the nature of the positions of the Declaration, and its significance for a society that will identify the maturity of citizens. Here, enlightenment is understood in the sense of self-awareness, the stage of a clear sense of one’s own independence. This can be seen in Kant’s reflections “a man may for his own person, …, enlightening himself in matters he ought to know about” (Kant 73). Here the philosopher claims that enlightenment results from knowing and feeling oneself. The U.S. Declaration of Independence reflects Kant’s meaning of enlightenment and “maturity” with the supporting statement, “We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equal; that their Creator endows them with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” (History para 5). Representatives of the United States of America assembled in General Congress to solemnly publish and declare that they ought to be free and independent states, absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown. “And in support of this declaration, and with a strong faith in divine providence’s protection, we mutually vow to each other our lives, fortunes, and sacred honor” (“Declaration of Independence: A Transcription” para 5). The U.S. began to understand and believe in their worth as equal deserving partners to run their affairs without the interruptions of any other colony, even if it would cost their association.
The message of the U.S. declaration stated that all men—black and white men alike—would be given the unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Jefferson’s prologue not only promises equality but also promises freedom. After the Revolutionary War, this guarantee was not kept because, in the U.S., discrimination against black people was still at its peak, with many losing their lives on matters of policing, among others. Black lives have been treated according to their color, denying them the right to work and co-exist peacefully with the white race. A good example of this would be the death of George Floyd in the hands of the same people who ought to protect him and observe justice. Racial discrimination seems to be persistent more in the U.S. than in other countries affected by independence from their folk.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the enlightenment was an era that involved different perspectives, mainly ensuring that the traditions were neglected and new beliefs adopted. It was how the human race believed in themselves and their intellect. Kant’s definition says that human beings only self-imposed “immaturity” when they fail to trust their minds and seek more counsel. Relation to the U.S. declaration of Independence signified enlightenment and “maturity” as they stopped relying upon the counsel of man-states and the British colonies. The declaration’s message guaranteed that all people would have equal treatment and be open to freedoms and rights despite their skin color and race. However, after the revolutionary war, this still has not been implemented as black people endured injustice and violence at the hands of their protectors, making the U.S. declaration of independence give all equal rights irrespective of their race, with many being found in the crisis of death.
Works Cited
“Declaration of Independence: A Transcription.” National Archives and Records Administration, National Archives and Records Administration, 2021.
History. “Declaration of Independence.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 2019.
Kant, Immanuel. “Toward perpetual peace and other writings on politics, peace, and history.” Toward Perpetual Peace and Other Writings on Politics, Peace, and History. Yale University Press, 2006.
Kant, Immanuel. An Answer to the Question: ‘What is Enlightenment?’. Penguin Books Limited, 2013.