The Enlightenment, Essay Example

Describing the Enlightenment

The Enlightenment period was the age and experiences of the eighteenth century. This period was characterized by the popularization of the ideas that were developed during the age of Reasoning. The Enlightenment is essentially the belief or perception that human understanding and modern science regarding the social world derived from modern science are vital in making improvements in the planet’s living conditions. Justice, poverty, and war are inimical management as opposed to God-given punishments for our sins. It is possible to overthrow or reform an oppressive government (Outram, 2005). In addition, nations can alleviate and overcome social inequality. New medicines can be used to fight diseases, as they are not supposed to be accepted stoically. Production of new technologies and innovations can help in reducing poverty levels. Adopting of a universal public education can be used to overcome ignorance in the society. It is possible to perfect human societies if they can be willing to use their scientific knowledge to engineer and plan for a better future socially. Human integrity and the reason are not limited to any achievements (Williams, 2009).

The principle ideas

The main ideas of the enlightenment include its optimism that the new era of industrialization, scientific-technological advancement and its faith in a scientific method of investigation would result into a planet that is full of happiness for all. The attempts of enlightenment of creating a social order based on the principles of tolerance, equality and human reason affected a profound intellectual and social revolution (Williams, 2009).

Was it a positive experience?

The enlightenment was an ultimate positive experience. This is because of its purpose of making every one conscious that the society can lead in guiding the process of evolution through wholehearted participation. This may appear ridiculous, but it is the absolute truth. The planet is desperately in need of everyone. Individuals have to participate consciously and wholeheartedly in the evolution process. In order for this to happen, these individuals have to be present and available. For this reason, individuals need to be free, not for themselves, but for the evolution of life (Hankins, 2005).

Negative aspects of the Enlightenment

Many people think that the age of the enlightenment started with the 1689 glorious England revolution. Further, it is thought that this age ended with terror in 1793 during the French Revolution. These only represent the [political aspects of the enlightenment. It began by making the monarchy of England a constitutional parliament and the only institution that had the authority of passing bylaws, collecting taxes and making war. This age described all the reasons for changes in politics in the U.S and European countries. There was well documentation of rights of man and democracy. Additionally, the western world developed accordingly (Hankins, 2005).

Apart from the above aspects, other notable aspects can be categorized into economic and scientific. The foundation of chemistry and discoveries in the field of geography, medicine, and physics were laid. Theatres advanced with the development of arts, painting, printing, and music. They changed and adopted modern styles that were quite distinct from the old renaissance styles. The enlightenment was of immense benefit to all the European communities that were living in America. Unfortunately, the French revolution caused the enlightenment to collapse. The 19^th Century arrived with steel and steam leading to advancements in the search for truth and knowledge (Outram, 2005).

Works Cited

Hankins, Thomas. Science and the Enlightenment. Mason, OH: Cambridge University Press. 2005. Print.

Outram, Dorinda. The Enlightenment. New York: Warner Books. 2005. Print.

Williams, David. The Enlightenment. Cambridge, MA: Cambridge University Press. 2009. Print.