Intellectual laziness persists and is amplified. Opinion leaders exploit passivity by offering simplified narratives, discouraging scrutiny. Fact-checkers foster dependency if people accept their conclusions without understanding the process, undermining Kant’s call for self-reliant reason. Mainstream media’s framing, often influenced by corporate or political agendas, risks passive consumption. This mirrors Kant’s critique of those preferring guidance from authorities.
The full text of Kant’s answer to “What is Enlightment?” here.