Kantian Autonomy and the Path to Intellectual Maturity

The Distinction Between Autonomy and Heteronomy

Immanuel Kant, whose moral philosophy is centered around the concept of autonomy, distinguishes between a person who is intellectually autonomous and one who keeps themselves in an intellectually heteronymous—that is, dependent and immature—status. Kant understands the majority of people to be content to follow the guiding institutions of society, such as the Church and the Monarchy, and unable to throw off the yoke of their immaturity due to a lack of resolution to be autonomous.

The Challenge of Intellectual Immaturity

It is difficult for individuals to work their way out of this immature, cowardly life because we are so uncomfortable with the idea of thinking for ourselves. Kant says that even if we did throw off the spoon-fed dogma and formulas we have absorbed, we would still be stuck because we have never “cultivated our minds.” The key to throwing off these chains of mental immaturity is reason. There is hope that the entire public could become a force of free-thinking individuals if they are free to do so. There will always be a few people, even among the institutional "guardians," who think for themselves; they will help the rest of us to “cultivate our minds.”

The Role of the State and Religious Freedom

Kant states that a monarch should allow his subjects to do or think whatever they find necessary for their salvation, and that such thoughts and deeds are “none of his business.” Religious ideas should not be subject to government oversight, and government should not support “spiritual despotism” against any of his subjects.

The Monarch’s Duty Toward Free Thought

It is insisted that the king favors freedom in the arts and sciences because there is “no danger to his legislation” from his subjects making public use of their own reason and providing “forthright criticism of the current legislation.” Throughout history, we see that most monarchs do perceive danger from free-thinking subjects.

Historical Progress and the Development of Reason

Humanity as a species requires historical development to become autonomous, for reason does not work instinctively; it requires trial, practice, and instruction to allow it to progress. Resistance is needed for development.