Kant was a key Enlightenment philosopher, influenced by Hume and Voltaire. He lived in Königsberg, Prussia, supporting himself through tutoring. His philosophy influenced psychology, anthropology, and modern neuroscience
Enlightenment occurred after Renaissance with significant life improvements. Scientific method and independent thought were hallmarks of progress. Literacy rates rose due to better education access
Latin phrase meaning "Dare to know" first appeared in Horace's First Book of Letters (20 BC). Horace's quote suggests value of persistence and overcoming obstacles. Augustine quoted Horace's maxim in De quantitate animae
Immanuel Kant wrote "What Is Enlightenment?" in 1784. Essay was published in Berlin Monthly in December 1784. Response to Reverend Johann Friedrich Zöllner's question about clergy in marriage. Zöllner's question was addressed to broad intellectual community. Kant's essay is most famous and impactful response
Born in 1729 in Kamenz to Lutheran pastor Johann Gottfried Lessing. Studied at Leipzig University, earning degrees in theology, medicine, philosophy, and philology. Met actress Karoline Neuber during his studies, who produced his first play
Western philosophy originated in Ancient Greece in 6th century BCE. Presocratic philosophers like Thales and Anaximander explored cosmos through rational explanations. Socrates and Plato introduced Socratic method and moral philosophy. Aristotle developed systematic philosophy with four causes and formal logic