18th Century Revolutions & Enlightenment: Kant's Perspective

18th Century Europe: Enlightenment & Despotism

The 18th century saw a unique political framework emerge in European monarchies: Enlightened Despotism. Kings sought to reconcile the maintenance of absolute power with the promotion of social and cultural improvements for their subjects. Enlightened thinkers, while directing their criticism towards religion and cultural traditions they considered superstitious, generally avoided direct political criticism of the monarchical system itself.

Frederick the Great & Kant's Enlightenment Views

One of the most important rulers of this era was Frederick II of Prussia, known as Frederick the Great. He demonstrated significant intellectual gifts and governmental prowess, maintaining contacts with prominent French Enlightenment philosophers. Immanuel Kant, a key figure in German Enlightenment, strongly supported the momentum Frederick gave to science, education, and freedom of thought. Kant believed these advancements fostered free action and mutual respect among human beings.

The American Revolution and Liberalism

Across the Atlantic, Britain was compelled to recognize the independence of its North American colonies following the American Revolution. The newly formed United States of America established a liberal political system designed to ensure the natural rights of citizens, the threefold separation of powers, and the fundamental principle of equality before the law.

The French Revolution: Uprising and Aftermath

The French Revolution consisted of the common people's uprising against the absolute monarchy of Louis XVI. Triggered by widespread impoverishment, the revolutionaries proclaimed the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. Subsequently, they executed the king and a significant number of aristocrats, and faced terrible internal political disputes. Kant, notably, did not seem to approve of these radical events.

The Industrial Revolution: Economic Transformation

A third profound revolution emerged in the second half of the 18th century: the Industrial Revolution. Originating in Great Britain and spreading across northern Europe, it was characterized by the widespread adoption of textile machinery and the steam engine. This led to the appearance of large industrial centers and brought about major social and economic transformations.

Kant's Enduring Legacy in Enlightenment Thought

These profound political and economic changes were integral to the developments of the Enlightenment. Immanuel Kant contributed directly to this new way of thinking within the German sphere, supporting the main Enlightenment theses:

• Reason must be totally independent of religious faith and any other authority.
• Science advances thanks to the autonomy of reason and provides levels of progress that mankind would never have dreamed possible.