"What is Enlightenment" in the Digital Age?

My paper explores the continued relevance of Immanuel Kant's inquiry "What is Enlightenment?" within the context of the digital age, particularly considering the growing influence of major technology companies in shaping the online public sphere. Drawing on Kant’s essays “An Answer to the Question: What is Enlightenment?” and “What Does It Mean to Orient Oneself in Thinking?”, I revisit Kant’s vision of enlightenment as the public use of reason, and examine whether these ideals can still be applied in today's digital world. In Kant’s view, enlightenment depends on the ability of the public to use reason freely, but I question whether such a process is feasible when private entities increasingly control the parameters of public discourse. First, I investigate Kant’s definition of enlightenment and how this concept relates to freedom of expression and public reason, focusing on his politically oriented works, which emphasize the potential for individuals to achieve self-enlightenment through the free exercise of reason. This sets the stage for the second part, which explores the effects of digital technologies on public discourse. Drawing from network theorists, I highlight the concentration of power among major technology companies and how they moderate discourse using algorithms that shape societal narratives. This concentration challenges the idea of a free, rational public sphere, complicating not only the ability to discern truth from falsehood but also undermining democratic engagement and the diversity of viewpoints essential for informed public discourse. The third part delves into Kantian perspectives on social irrationality, where I suggest that Kant’s insights into the origins of irrationality remain relevant for understanding the digital age. Social media, rather than fostering enlightenment, has become a breeding ground for irrationality, where misinformation, disinformation, and trolling flourish unchecked and unaccountable. While legitimate but controversial discourses are restricted by laws and judicial decisions, illegitimate ones spread rapidly, distorting public debate. I argue that Enlightenment principles, especially the use of reason and critical thinking, are important for addressing this wave of irrationality. The conclusion reflects on philosophy's role in guiding lawmakers and regulators. While laws and judicial decisions are necessary to address freedom of expression in the digital sphere, they are often reactive, subjective, and contingent. Philosophy, in contrast, offers a normative reference point to determine whether something should be legal, potentially guiding the creation of laws that better reflect the spirit of the Enlightenment. However, I acknowledge that Kantian ideals alone may not provide immediate solutions to digital platforms' challenges. Instead, these ideals offer a framework for fostering hope and guiding future regulatory efforts, even if they do not fully solve the problems of the digital era. By addressing these issues, I aim to contribute to debates on regulating digital platforms, emphasizing that philosophy plays a critical role in shaping coherent and secure legislation. Although Enlightenment principles may now seem distant, Kant's caution against the erosion of reason serves as a reminder of the dangers posed by indifference, conformism, and, once again, “immaturity”, which compromise individual freedoms and hinder social progress.