The Foolish Monarchs

In tonight's assigned reading the text talks about some of the absolutist monarchs of Europe and how, at least some of them, tried to govern and rule in an "enlightened" manner, trying to encourage thought and question rather than subdue it. I genuinely believe this to be a grave mistake on their part and am surprised that the monarchs even thought about ruling this way. First lets examine the enlightenment and what it actually meant to govern people in an "enlightened" fashion. The enlightenment was a time of cultural, scientific, logical and progressive thought that emphasized question and debate. For the majority of Europe, this generally resulted in some rebellious thought and action, a time where people questioned the very laws and parameters they lived under. To govern in an "enlightened" manner is to promote the logical, rational and freethinking fashion in which people were so attracted to. However the first impressions of these ideas for people to think for themselves might seem, I can assure you this was a grave mistake taken by the monarchs. With this kind of questioning mindset, comes many many things, most of which are a monarch’s worst nightmare. The wish to govern in this way can be understood from the freedom and liberation granted to the people and in an ideal and utopian society, this would be a perfectly rational way to govern. However the concept of utopia does not exist and this is exactly why governing in this fashion is a very dangerous move. In governing this way the people possess a mind for question. If people question, they will question everything. Jean -Jacques Rousseau said, "Man was born free, and everywhere he is in chains." This I believe to be true, however I also believe that control over man is necessary especially in a time as fragile and as experimental as the enlightenment. The simple act of questioning may start with why sky is blue, but I can assure you it will inevitably progress to much bigger and much more dangerous ideas, ideas that monarchs have no pleasure in dealing with. People will start to question the very government and rules in which they live under. They will wonder if the system that they live in is doing the right thing. They will wonder if they can trust the very kings and queens that govern them. In the encouragement of this style of thought, many people will begin to think like this, many people will develop their own ideas on how their country should be run. In the text it says, "The philosophes' influence was heightened by the fact that many government officials were attracted to and interested in philosophical ideas"(609) The encouragement then clearly originates from the enlightened inclination that many powerful officials had. This is perfectly understandable, the wish for more intellectual and rational people. However the officials did not take into account the result of letting people "think for themselves." People will find anything to question if the possess the power to question. The simple questioning and thought will lead to many ideas possibly of rebellion and change. Anyone of these ideas could spark a revolution, a complete and utter change of power within their system. For a monarch, rebellion and revolution are not meant to be encouraged. Immanuel Kant in his pamphlet titled "What is enlightenment?" says "Sapere Aude!" Which translates to dare to know. His pamphlet can basically be summarized as; humans need courage to use their own understanding. There own understanding, completely disregarding the authority's word, using their own ideas on how things should be run. It is cruel but a monarch would much prefer to govern people who are perfectly obedient and do not question the duties that are asked of them. This is exactly why governing in this manner is extremely dangerous and incredibly foolish for any monarch to encourage. The intention of trying to govern this way is understandable but with enlightenment comes the ability to question everything, which for a monarch is undoubtedly a nightmare.