Module 5
What is Enlightenment?
Is what I like to call the age of self-actualization is how I would like to
define it, which is the period trailing the Renaissance into the Middle Ages.
Having viewed and studied history throughout the time periods, this was time
for a revolution. Revolution of the mind, asking ourselves the bigger
questions, and trying to combine what was civilizations have learned so far and
mapping out our next steps.
Where
does it fit in the broader picture of European and/or World history?
Understanding that many of the ideals we claim to hold dear and true are not
from the Western world. In fact, it is more Asiatic (EuroAsia), the between of
outer Europe and the beginnings of Asia. This is what many historians called
the old world (East meets West). The old world it was, the beginning of written
history, scholars, libraries, monuments to human achievements, and the quest of
immortality in seeking god-like status.
Understanding Greek philosophers, political leaders, war raging nations, and
making art, music, and making into an enlightening period in history must have
been a confusing but exciting time. Out with the old and in with the new was
not black r white, it was more of a; where am I and can I express my true
thoughts with the people I am surrounded by.
The Renaissance was a time to break free from the solely religious controls
that governed the rise and fall of nations, the shifting of borders, and the
new definitions of a people themselves. Having broken free (somewhat) from the
churches and religious quilting institutions, the chance to question a
"Modern" world was to reflect on ht has happened so far.
As our minds and ideals grew in the independence of religious constraints,
Modernity came to light as people from all walks of life began to challenge the
social norms of life. Thinking beyond what has been written by former Greeks,
Romans, Byzantines, etc.
Exercising of the
Arts: the period in which man is able to implement thoughts of science, no
longer based on mysticism.
Commercial
Intercourse: the time that nations have international trade and movement from
one part of the globe to the other
Written Word: A
written Alphabet that is used by many nations allowing for more communication
and translations of thoughts and ideas.
Have any of his
predictions turned out to be correct?
Yes, at least the
one's mentioned is what shaped the future commerce of work interactions,
language, self-actualization, and the integration of ideas, history, and
creativity.
Would Condorcet say
we are still on our way to becoming “enlightened”?
"Here the
picture begins to take its colouring in great measure from the series of facts
transmitted to us by history; at the same time compare and combine them, to
form the supposed history of a single people, and delineate its progress"
(Condorcet, pg. 24)
Comments
Post a Comment