Final answer:
Immanuel Kant believed that society as a whole is responsible for its enlightenment, using reason to create ethical codes over generations of continuous effort.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Immanuel Kant, the enlightenment of the populace is not solely the responsibility of any single individual but the collective task of society. Kant emphasized the application of reason as the tool that could guide individuals and ultimately entire societies toward identifying ethical codes, which he termed categorical imperatives. However, Kant also recognized that this philosophical and ethical evolution was a generational endeavor that required centuries of trial, reflection, and education to progress. Therefore, in Kant's view, it's the responsibility of the society as a whole to engage in this continuous effort of enlightenment. Kant advocated that through this pursuit, societies would make progress with each generation, moving toward a more perfect moral code and a more ideal society.