O esclarecimento antigo e moderno

Abstract

It is proposed in this work the analyzing search for knowledge in two specific moments in history, by the vision of two philosophers of great importance. First, Plato’s Phylosophy, with all its dialectical around the "Myth of the Cave", in the Book VII of The Republic of Plato and then the reflections of Immanuel Kant contained in the booklet Response to the Question: What is Enlightenment? Emphasis on individual disquiet in the pursuit of knowledge, proper to the human being, represented both with respect to cave exit as in the search for enlightenment, where both situations refer to the need to seek the understanding of the current status of each individual in order to, from Personal reflections, be possible to undertake improvements in society. Finally, a comparison between the ideas of thinkers and an update to nowadays. The method used is based in a historical and bibliographical research, where by analysis of related works of such philosophers, whose relevance points to the individual movement of seeking emancipation of thought for each other and thus constitute a fairer society.