What Is Enlightenment by 18th Century Thinkers - Essay Example

How was the question "What is Enlightenment?" answered by 18th Century thinkers? And how have their ideas influenced our understanding of modernity? Name Instructor’s name Institution of study Date Number of words How was the question "What is Enlightenment?" answered by 18th Century thinkers? And how have their ideas influenced our understanding of modernity? The question “What is enlightenment?” as answered by 18th century thinkers and the influence of their ideas on our understanding of modernity has always attracted a lot of attention from many scholars throughout the world. In this regard this essay seeks to address a number of issues. First, the essay will attempt to define the term enlightenment, its origin and use in the 18th century in accordance to renowned thinkers such as Immanuel Kant, Rene Descartes, Voltaire and John Locke. Secondly, a discussion on how the question was answered by these thinkers will be presented broadly and thirdly, a description of the influence of the great thinkers’ ideas on our understanding of modernity will follow before a grand summary of the key point forming the baseline of this discussion. In any case, the main body of the essay will comprise of the discussion of how these thinkers answered the question “What is Enlightenment?” during their time and how their ideas have influenced our understanding of modernity. According to John Locke writings enlightenment could be defined as a way of life of the European during the 18th century. According to him enlightenment was a civilization accustomed to the people of Europe during this time in characterized by a number of issues[Ste01]. This thinker argues that enlightenment was a period in life when people defied the odds of nature by pushing their mental abilities beyond the norm in order to define and give meaning to and practicability to the different aspects of nature. This period is characterized by continuous search for knowledge[PHN75]. According to Locke experience form the foundation of what man knows. The thinker argues that at birth human beings have no knowledge at all however their interaction with the environment is recorded in their minds and this forms what they know. Locke [Des96] in [PHN75]through his theory that is popularly known as social contract explains that the belief that is embraced by the majority is what matters and is accepted as the truth. In any case John Locke argues from an empirical point of view and his argument reveal that man needs to encounter and interact with his environment to become enlightened. He argues that science and experiment are important aspects of enlightenment therefore the more the experiment man conducts the more he exposes himself to varied experiences and this will increases his chances becoming enlightened. Unlike John Locke who embraces experience as a source of knowledge for man Rene is rationalist and he defines enlightenment as the epoch of rationale[Des96]. According to him we should doubt everything and we should look for certainty in results and already established theories. Basing his philosophy on continuous search for certainty man should be ready to challenge beliefs for instance Rene managed to list some instances when ancient beliefs in religion were disputed in the church. In addition, Rene cites cases where scientific beliefs were also disputed and this proofs the fact that the chances of performing a perfect research because differences will always emerge. For instance researchers were had initially concluded that the earth was the center of the universe however years later it happened that this was not the truth when it was discovered that the earth is just but one of the planets revolving around the sun[Des96]. The argument in the chapter above justifies Rene’s philosophy on rationalism and that enlightenment could only be achieved by looking for certainty. Rene believes that our mind is capable to reason out and come up with reliable judgments that are distinct which he refers to as perfection and attaches to God. He believes in reality something tangible and this is the reason why he believed in rationalism. According to Immanuel Kant [LWB59]enlightenment refers to a period in history where the European community experienced radical changes in knowledge and how they perceived nature. Kant describes it as a period when man moved from one state to another and a stage in life when man emancipated him-self from a mental slavery. According to this great thinker this stage was characterized by “immaturity” which he defines as man’s self induced inability to act independently. He argues that when men continuously rely on other people thought for help they develop dependency and as a result they will create a cocoon where they are very comfortable. It goes without saying that when one is comfortable there is not need to worry in any case it becomes extremely difficult for this person to realize the need to think for oneself. It is usually logical for an individual to think and make independent decision as well as relying on his mind for knowledge rather than depending on another person for the same[LWB59]. According to Kant individuals in the state mentioned above are afraid of embracing any change that might alter the comfort that they are enjoying and force them to become independent. He compares them to a community conditioned to follow a given set of rules to observe and is cautioned on the implication of acting on the centrally. This is so because human beings will always want to be complemented for their ability and power to perform and execute certain duties however a slight indication that their abilities could be at stake or challenged by their inabilities sees them cower. As a result we can see an element of fear and an individual cannot salvage himself without great effort. However, a group of individual is better positioned to defy the odds and break the chains[Guy98]. He also argues that character traits such as fear and laziness are mans greatest enemy and hindrance to change. According to him people have to overcome these in order to escape immaturity therefore men need to be courageous and diligence for them to become enlightened however the process does not take place overnight. As a catalyst freedom is a necessity because freedom allows man to think and make decisions as well as exercising his ability to think through the public. Therefore it is necessary that a person should be in apposition to criticize even his own thoughts however he argues that though criticism and change are important the law is equally important and enlightenment can only be realized in a coherent society. Therefore, according to him a revolution is not the best way to achieve enlightenment or effect change because the results of such an avenue could be disastrous. Kant brought together the two approaches mentioned above empiricism and rationalism[LWB59]. Enlightenment has had a number of impacts on our understanding of modernity for instance it influenced on the thinking of great leaders in the American history leading to the development of an ideal government[Ste01][Ell04]. John Locke’s theory referred as the social contract did to a great deal influence a number of government including the constitution of USA[Ell04]and[PHN75]. Enlightenment is realized when man become independent in all aspects then he can think for himself and reason freely without necessarily asking for assistance form another force therefore freedom is necessary and enlightenment facilitated the valuation of freedom today. In addition, today we have had governments founded on democracy derived from equality and the ability of people to elect new leaders each time they feel that the current ones are not adequate and this is a characteristic of enlightenment. Moreover, enlightenment has seen people gradually defy the traditional thoughts and rules that were based on doctrines established by unpopular systems and move into democratic government because of the characteristics of enlightenment. Based on enlightenment modern man has been granted the joy to confirm ancient knowledge by using scientific methods making them more reliable. In addition, man is able to make corrections by challenging already established knowledge by thinking freely. Rene’s ideas of how to achieve enlightenment has motivated to challenge other people’s thoughts as well as his own as he looks for certainty[Des96][PHN75]. In addition 18th thinker’s ideas such as those of Rene pioneered critical thinking in modern philosophy and this has seen many developments come up and knowledge increase. Enlightenment has seen to intellectual advancement in the modern world and many discoveries have been developed based on the ideas of 18th century thinkers. In addition the ideas have also seen radical changes in the field of science due to enhanced freedom that have seen man become more and more independent in terms of thinking for instance they facilitated revolutions. Finally, enlightenment has contributed positively towards improving mans way of life by making it easier through the many improvement that have been influenced by the ideas of such thinkers[Ell04]. In conclusion the 18th century thinkers such as Immanuel Kant, Rene Descartes, John Locke and Voltaire are believed to be the pioneers of enlightenment. Through their different philosophies ideas and argument these scholars led the way to discoveries and expansion of mans knowledge. They gave definitions to enlightenment which refers to a specific period within the European history when major events were established and in accordance to their lines of thoughts it is the 18th century way of life of the Europeans. John Locke argued from an empiricist’s point of view and he believed that scientific methods would be the best way to achieve enlightenment. Rene Descartes is rationalist who believes certainty by doubting ancient beliefs rules and using our mind to search for truths because the mind is capable. Immanuel Kant and assessed and brought together Locke’s and Rene’s ideas to come up with a blend between the two as he argued that enlightenment is achieved when man gathers the courage to confront his fears and think for himself. These ideas on enlightenment have influenced on our understanding of modernity in a number of ways. For instance Immanuel Kant ideas based ancient systems serves as good examples of obsolete systems and we have to adjust modern structures to accommodate all. However, we are able to learn from Kant the need to obey the law and lead a coherent life. In addition modern systems are based on equality for all such as the American government. Modern systems are also advocate for freedom and popular sovereignty. All these have been borrowed form 18th century thinkers and this indicates that their ideas on enlightenment have had a great impact on what we have and think about today. It is clear that they have influenced our understanding of modernity a great deal. References Ste01: , (Stephen G. Tibbetts, 2001), PHN75: , (Nidditch, 1975), Des96: , (R, 1996), PHN75: , (An Essay concerning human understanding ), Des96: , (Meditations on First philosophy), Des96: , (R, 1996), LWB59: , ("What is enlightement" in Foundation of the Metaphysics of morals and what is enlightement, ), LWB59: , (L, 1959), Guy98: , (Wood, 1998), Ell04: , (Ellen Judy Wilson, 2004), Read More