immaturity
To be immature, in Kant's terminology, is to fail to think for oneself. An immature person always needs aid from others in order to think and understand. Such nonage is self-imposed, due to laziness or lack of courage. Enlightenment is the process of overcoming this immaturity.
Sapere Aude!
“Sapere Aude!” means “Dare to Know!” or “Have courage to use your own understanding!” Kant adopted this from the Society of the Friends of Truth as a motto for the Enlightenment. It’s a call to use one’s own reason autonomously, to summon the courage to think without any help from external authorities.
natura-liter maiorennes
“Natura-liter maiorennes” can be translated as “Those who have come of age by virtue of nature.” It means that by nature, people are mature, or have the capacity to be mature. This is an innate feature of humanity. Therefore, those who remain in nonage do so not naturally, but by their own doing.
shackles
Kant uses the metaphor of shackles to illustrate the social constraints that limit one’s use of reason. The social rules that disallow citizens to use their rationality freely are like heavy shackles that prevent people from becoming what nature intends them to be.
rational appreciation
Rational appreciation is an appreciation of rationality, an ability an enlightened guardian will come to have. When a guardian becomes mature and enlightened, they start to appreciate the wonder of thinking independently, and want it for others as well.
autocratic despotism
Autocratic despotism refers to a system in which one ruler has unchecked power and makes all the decisions. “Despotism” is often associated with political oppression.
literate world
The literate world refers to a public that can exchange ideas through writing. For Kant, enlightenment is largely enabled through writing and freedom of the press. Anyone in society should have the freedom to express themselves publicly through writing.
presbytery
The presbytery refers to church elders or ministers, along with the rules through which they govern and supervise. It comes from the Greek presbyteros. This is one example of guardianship.
“Caesar non est supra grammaticos.”
This phrase means “Caesar is not above the grammarians.” This is a reminder to monarchs about the importance of letting their subjects freely comment on their ruling.
barbarism
Barbarism usually suggests the misuse of language. It originates from the Greeks, who used it to designate non-Greek speakers. Over time, it has come to refer to uncivilized and cruel actions.
civil freedom
Civil freedom, or civil liberty, refers to the fundamental rights and freedoms citizens have, such as freedom of speech, press, and religion. Kant distinguishes between public and private civil freedom and argues that the latter should be restricted.
spiritual freedom
Spiritual freedom means intellectual freedom, including freedom in the domains of art, religion, and science. Unrestrained civil freedom hinders intellectual freedom and therefore enlightenment.
