This course explores autonomy as a philosophical ideal and a foundational societal principle. Participants will analyse the way in which Enlightenment thinkers challenged authority and advocated for individual autonomy. The course examines the balance between personal freedom and social obligations, and debates on rights, citizenship, and the boundaries of freedom, which remain relevant today. Inspired by Kant’s call to “dare to think for yourself,” we focus on independent thinking and the contributions of philosophers like Descartes, Voltaire and Diderot. Discussions will highlight the prerequisites for the Enlightenment’s success and its impact on the emergence of Modernity.