Today is #WorldPhilosophyDay. Are you familiar with the concept "Sapere aude"? ?? The idea, which translates to "dare to know" in Latin, comes from 18th-century German philosopher Immanuel Kant. The concept encourages people to think for themselves without relying on others to tell them what to believe. Kant saw this as the essence of the Enlightenment, a period when people began questioning authority and seeking knowledge through reason.?
The Goethe-Institut Washington held an essay competition asking high school and college students to explore the concept of Sapere aude today. Participants were encouraged to delve critically into Kant's ideas with a fresh perspective, applying them to modern problems.
On Wednesday, the Embassy held an award ceremony and reception for the winners of the competition. Their winning essays examine Kant's call of Sapere aude in entirely new contexts, from social media to competitive sports. Ambassador Michaelis presented the winners their prizes, which included scholarships for Goethe-Institut language courses.
Sapere aude is a timeless concept, as relevant today as it was in the 1700s. As high schooler Olivia?Dogan wrote in her essay, "This is how I can navigate the complexities of today’s information-rich environment while staying true to myself." This essay contest demonstrates how deeply ingrained this principle is in both the United States and Germany. Our shared values, like democracy and the pursuit of truth, form the foundation of our strong partnership. ????????
Read the winning essays here: https://lnkd.in/e5j93sfV
