Moral Autonomy, Rational Faith, and Pedagogical Transformation: Reassessing Immanuel Kant’s Philosophy of Religion and Education in the Enlightenment Context

This study provides a comprehensive examination of Immanuel Kant‘s philosophy of religion and education, with particular attention to his critical distinction between moral religion and historical religion. Kant‘s claim that authentic religion must be grounded in morality and reason rather than revelation is explored in depth, alongside his argument that the moral law, embedded within human consciousness, serves as the only valid foundation for faith. By rejecting ritualism, ecclesiastical dogmatism, and external authority, Kant reframes religion as an ethical project centered on moral autonomy and rational duty. The paper also investigates Kant‘s educational philosophy, which he conceives as a lifelong process of cultivating character, freedom, and the capacity for rational self-legislation. Education, for Kant, is both a moral and practical necessity for guiding humanity toward its highest destiny—progress toward enlightenment and moral perfection. The study situates Kant‘s thought within the broader intellectual currents of the Enlightenment, emphasizing his enduring influence on modern pedagogy, secular ethics, and debates on the relationship between faith and reason. By reassessing the integration of religion and education in Kant‘s critical system, this article argues that his philosophy remains a cornerstone for understanding the ethical foundations of religious practice and the transformative aims of education. It also highlights the contemporary relevance of Kant‘s ideas for discussions on moral education, civic responsibility, and the inseparability of ethical life from both individual autonomy and collective progress.