Enlightened Animal

“If reason is merely to serve the purpose that instinct serves in animals, then it has no purpose at all.”

It does not elevate humanity above mere animality in any way.”

Immanuel Kant, Critique of Practical Reason,

Translated by Ioanna Kuçuradi, Ülker Gökberg, Füsun Akatlı.

Turkish Philosophy Association Publications, Ankara 2016, p. 69.

It is an undeniable fact that most people are products of their time. Immanuel Kant, one of the founders of German philosophy, is one of the thinkers who most effectively transmitted the values of his era to future generations. Perhaps he became a protector of reason to perpetuate the names of a society suppressed for centuries through religion and scientists whose scientific work could not be accepted. Perhaps he was a defender of reason for Galileo Galilei, who was placed under house arrest for writing a book. The Enlightenment's method of reaching knowledge through reason and experience is the reason for Kant's answer to the problem of the source of knowledge. This proves the direct influence of the historical period in which Kant lived on his philosophical thoughts. Given the historical context, it should not be surprising that Kant, who emphasized rationalism and empiricism in the production of knowledge, highlighted "reason" as the concept that distinguishes humans from other living beings.

Kant identifies reason as the characteristic that distinguishes humans from other animals. Almost everyone knows this fact, but because he believes that humans do not have a very good grasp of the benefits of reason, he invites society to reflect on it. Without reason, humans and animals are reduced to a single entity, thus homogenizing humanity. Kant's aim is not to remind us that humans are animals, but to draw attention to their purpose in life. While stating that instinct is a means for survival in animals, Kant considers human reason to be an end in itself, not a means. If reason were merely used to replace instinct and survive, could humans be any different from animals? Beyond instinct, reason forms the basis of problem-solving and abstract thought as part of the human decision-making mechanism. Beyond its instrumental function like instinct, reason enables humans to always connect their actions and behaviors to a purpose or responsibility.

Whether a person's actions, guided by reason, conform to the concept of a universal moral law is another important debate in philosophy. Moreover, Kant's view on the universal moral law indirectly parallels reason. According to Kant, if the purpose of an action is solely to serve the good, this is called deontological ethics. Kant, who seeks purpose, responsibility, and good intentions behind an action, glorifies reason, which brings these three concepts together. In this quote, his aim is not to differentiate humans from animals, but to emphasize the superiority of reason. The absence of purposeful or responsible behavior in animals is one of the most important characteristics that distinguishes humans from animals. Kant measured the conformity of knowledge (scientific studies) produced by humans to the universal moral law because the truth of knowledge is of great importance for future generations. A scientist who develops knowledge is also a philosopher who preserves the truth of that knowledge.

In the context of Kant's universal moral law, the concept of the "superego" by psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud should also be considered. The "superego," existing in the unconscious, acts as a regulator for the moral law. While Freud argues that humans can exist within society by controlling their instincts through the superego, Kant supports the idea that this control mechanism is only necessary for compliance with the moral law. In fact, both thinkers argue that humans can suppress their behavior through their "superego," but Kant always finds it appropriate to link this control mechanism to the rationalism he champions. He measures the correctness of his actions and behaviors with reason and his "superego." Descartes' similar view on the decision-making process, "I think, therefore I am," is one of the supporting elements of Kant's rationalism. By placing reason at the foundation of human existence, Descartes helps Kant differentiate between humans and animals. Freud's concept of the "superego," Descartes' glorification of reason, and Kant's emphasis on reason's role in the human being's control mechanisms all contribute to this understanding.

Therefore, the elevation of humans above animals must have consequences. This is perhaps one of the most important reasons for placing responsibility on humans. If humans are given reason, then they must also bear the consequences of their actions, because a person who acts without considering the consequences can turn into a savage creature. We see examples of mentally ill people today who act uncontrollably because they cannot morally weigh their actions and cannot think ahead. Although they are not confined to mental hospitals as punishment, it is clear that they are, in a way, receiving treatment as a result of their behavior. In short, every human being – whether sane or not – pays the price for their actions in some way; therefore, the concepts of reason and responsibility must be considered together.

According to Kant, every rational human being is free and responsible for every step they take within the context of freedom. Freedom determines the preceding stage of human behavior, while responsibility determines its aftermath. Without a mechanism like morality that controls human behavior, humans cannot set limits on their freedom and cannot be conscious of their responsibilities. Therefore, morality is essential at the foundation of the concepts of freedom and responsibility. This is where Kant's view of "causality stemming from freedom" emerges. Kant accepts that humans, like animals, are bound by the laws of nature because their physical existence in this world is an undeniable reality. Since humans exist both within the phenomenal world and outside the noumenon, they can act using their free will and reason. According to Kant, while freedom means making decisions independently of the laws of nature, there must be a cause behind this freedom. He points to reason as this cause. Therefore, he argues that causality determined by reason stems from freedom. By explaining "causality stemming from freedom" through the human being, Kant once again emphasizes the importance of reason, which is the difference between humans and animals. He distinguishes humans from animals through free will, responsibility, and reason.

In conclusion, Immanuel Kant, in his quote, emphasizes that reason elevates humanity and stresses the need for humans to cherish the reason bestowed upon them. He draws attention to the connection between free will and a sense of responsibility, which makes us human, thus referring to human values. As a product of the Enlightenment, Kant and his ideas should always be kept alive because they are based on questioning, critical thinking, and reason, which will never hinder humanity.

This essay was ranked 37th out of 345 submissions at the 29th Turkish Philosophy Olympiad, thus qualifying for the top 50.