You can see how the Age of Enlightenment influenced many people in the eighteenth century. The 18th century was a time of change and at the same time an education in tradition. As for the Enlightenment, the Scientific Revolution played an important role. The German philosopher Immanuel Kant “defined the Enlightenment as 'man's abandonment of his own self-caused immaturity' (377). In previous time periods, people were foolish when it came to using their intelligence solely to further their knowledge. A person felt alone, his intelligence was not enough to carry out certain activities nor was his intelligence enough to carry on his thoughts. It may feel that way today; one may feel that instead of pursuing knowledge themselves, they need someone else's knowledge to assist them. We can see how the need for other people's knowledge was so important because of Kant's motto “dare to know! Dare to use your intelligence!” (377). The Enlightenment for better understanding consisted of many people needing to know more than they already knew. Within the Enlightenment there were three related central concepts: reason, natural law, and progress. Reason, being the promotion of “the application of the scientific method to the understanding of life” (377). That said, intellectuals claimed that the methods of the scientific method could be used in every aspect of life to satisfy their need for further knowledge and the betterment of society. The scientific method and the Scientific Revolution played an exceptional role in establishing the concept of reason. Regarding natural law, we see how such social norms and values were necessary. Rather t… middle of the paper… and above all, social reformers” (379). John Locke played an important role with his works. John Locke in his Essay Concerning Human Understanding denied Descartes' beliefs. Locke argued that everyone is born with a clean slate. By this he meant that everyone learns based on their life experiences. Therefore, by changing the environment as the Enlightenment wanted, they would be able to change people by changing the environment and their surroundings. Voltaire also played an important role in the Enlightenment with his Treatise on Tolerance. In this writing he argued that “religious tolerance had created problems for England and Holland…” (380). He also stated that through God everyone is related. That said, one can see how the purpose of the Enlightenment through reason, natural law and progress was used to create better societies and people..
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