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Kant's Usage Of Reason

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He states “by the public use of one’s reason I understand the use of which a person makes of it as a scholar before the reading public. Private use I call that which may make of it in a particular civil post of office which entrusted to him.” Although he is aware of differences between these concepts, he points out the fact that the private usage of reason should be subjected to certain limitations, while the public usage of reason should be kept free, because “it alone can bring about enlightenment among men.” He gave many examples of this, such as the fact that “it would be disastrous if an officer on duty who was given a command by his superior were to question the appropriateness or utility of the order. He must obey. But as a scholar he cannot be justly constrained from making comments about errors in military service, or from placing them before the public for its judgement.” Another of Kant’s examples which makes the difference between usage of reason in private and in public clear is that “The citizen cannot refuse to pay the taxes imposed on him; indeed, impertinent criticism of such levies, when they should be paid by him, can be punished as a scandal. […] But the same person does not contrary to civic duty when, as a scholar, he publically expresses his thoughts regarding the impropriety or even injustice of such taxes.” It can be clearly seen that
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