blog




  • Essay / Analysis of the Enlightenment and Modernity

    The advancement of society over time has occurred in stages of advancement of societal change. The way of life of human beings has developed throughout history in their way of thinking regarding major aspects of daily life. For many years, lower socioeconomic groups struggled with poverty, control, and isolation from possible resources that provided an escape from their lives. of torment and toil. A centralized government-based religion, absolute monarchies, limited or no access to effective education, and societal controls on certain genders or groups of people produced a society where people lived in a perceived permanent underclass. The historical eras of Enlightenment and Modernity produced advancements and changes in politics, religion, education, and social life that opened the door to an improved way of life for the lower socio-economic groups in society. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay The Enlightenment period, known as the “Seat of Reason,” sought to introduce rational and scientific thought and advance personal freedom in life. Born from the European humanist movement, the Age of Enlightenment developed ideas based on reason and brought to light by the senses. He strove to promote the ideas of personal liberty, religious tolerance, constitutional government, and a belief in the separation of church and state. European societies sought to escape the absolute control and domination of monarchies in politics and the Catholic Church in spiritual life. Rational thinking and scientific knowledge led to the growth of mechanical production during the Industrial Revolution and the improvement of daily life. A focus on the rights of all individuals has led to an equal pursuit of happiness, longer life expectancy, and better living conditions for many involved. The Age of Enlightenment forever changed the lives of ordinary workers. The Enlightenment evoked a period of change in social, political, educational, and scientific thought through the role of important figures who became agents of change. Socially, this period developed the idea of ​​personal equality. Revolutionary figures such as Mary Wollstonecraft opened new doors for women in the functioning of society. Mary believed that the way to create new life opportunities was through growth through education. Growing up in a dysfunctional home with an alcoholic father, Mary saw the problems that resulted and took on a key role with her younger siblings. When she reached adulthood, Mary took the opportunity to enter the world of professional work in jobs then allowed for women, such as teaching. She does not discount the importance of raising children, but simply wishes that all opportunities were open to women in today's society. Additionally, political thought evolved during the Enlightenment thanks to revolutionary men such as Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson supported a new ideal of democracy, centered on the rights of the individual. He believed in being tolerant of religion and not being controlled by a state-supported way of faith and worship. Educationally, Jefferson supported attending a traditional school. Following his political views on equality, Jefferson believed that education shouldnot be based on socio-economic status. All children deserve access to new discoveries that he believes could change them as a person and open new doors for their lives and future achievements. Scientifically, Jefferson supported the idea of ​​rationality, which supported religious beliefs with science instead of putting them in conflict with each other. Unfortunately, Jefferson was not in favor of improving the status of opportunities for women. Another revolutionary in the field of education and equality driving change during this period was Johann Pestalozzi. Pestalozzia promoted the need for those living in low socioeconomic conditions to learn trades that could allow them to escape the travesties of life in poverty. He saw education as the gateway to achieving this escape. In agreement with Jefferson, Pestalozzi believed that children all deserved to be educated, regardless of their social or economic status. Pestalozzi saw the need to change the school structure from rote memorization of religious studies to a concentration on reading, literature, and the study of mathematics. . These revolutionary figures lit the flame of change in the Age of Enlightenment that forever changed the face of society. The rise of modernity expanded the role of the individual in an increasingly industrialized society that shifted toward growing cities and urban areas. Society developed a more secular viewpoint as the role of religion diminished significantly. The values ​​of citizens during modernity have become more individualized and materialistic. Modern society has politically given rise to the idea of ​​a nation-state. The capitalist economy became widespread, with a great focus on private property and the commercialization of everything for profit. Educationally, modern society sought to decide what was necessary to learn to grow in the growing economy and industrialization. The focus on literature and mathematics in the classroom was intended to produce critically thinking individuals. Furthermore, the rational thinking favored during modernity created manufacturing processes that created better jobs for higher wages, which produced capital to spend in the new economy. Finally, the focus on scientific methods during Modernity created technological advances such as the telegraph, new types of microscopes, and ultimately a horrific method of destroying large cities with a single bomb. The influence of key figures of the modern period created change in the world. areas of education, religion, social conditions and political thought. Robert Owen sought change for the social lot of ordinary workers during this period. He saw the opportunity to improve the situation of these citizens through the field of education. Owen believed that education for the upper class and poor people would produce the development of morality and the need to show kindness to one another. Additionally, Owen was an advocate for improving the role of women in society. He fought for a return to the arts in education in addition to literary and mathematical learning. Politically, Owen believed in public, socialist ownership for the good of the whole. He owned his own business which employed many workers. The negative behaviors and living conditions of these workers led Owen to believe that improving their living situation would improve society as a whole.John Stuart Mill agreed with Owen in some areas and disagreed in others. Mill believed in the rights of the individual, in ultimate contrast to the socialist ideas described earlier about Owen. He championed the rights of the common man, while feeling disgust at the treatment of commoners by the upper-class aristocracy. Mill believed that education was the ultimate power for change in their societies. He was an advocate for women's rights and sought to reintegrate the arts into educational life. Horace Mann, known as the father of public education, was another education advocate of the time. Mann supported civic education of individuals to create productive citizens. Additionally, he supported the training of teachers to lead day classes. These revolutionary thinkers led to dynamic developments during the era of Modernity. The progression of time through the eras of Enlightenment and Modernity saw an increased focus on the life and mobility of the ordinary worker. First, both eras valued the rights of individuals, while moving away from the old system of absolute monarchy. Jefferson's revolutionary ideals of democracy and the capitalist free market of modernity created a more level playing field for lower socioeconomic workers. Educationally, both eras developed the apprenticeship system to provide upward mobility for common class workers and women. Both periods viewed education as a means of societal change and a provider of opportunities. Rousseau developed a student-centered philosophy of education, which now constitutes the policy and procedure of today's schools. Furthermore, both movements created new and better working conditions for the ordinary worker, while paving the way for the opportunities seen in the era of modernity for better-paying jobs with predictable schedules that improved the way of life of everyone. The two eras had different beliefs regarding the idea of ​​the role of religion in society. The Enlightenment sought a separation between church and state to prevent an authoritarian church such as the Catholic Church. Thomas Jefferson sought to rationalize scientific thought and nature with faith. However, in modernity the role of the Church in society has been significantly reduced. Modernity sought more of the pleasures of life and focused less on seeking redemption from life's flaws. During the Enlightenment and modernity, the life and destiny of the ordinary worker were improved through philosophical thought and practice. The Enlightenment highlights certain characteristics that follow parts of the biblical worldview, while modernity primarily moves away from biblical thinking. First, the Enlightenment took the lead in improving the life and freedom of every human being, regardless of their socio-economic status. Stonestreet emphasizes in his worldview video that humans have value in the image of God. Additionally, the Enlightenment sought to rationalize science with God and not oppose Him. William Edgar said in his worldview video: “Science is neutral.” The Enlightenment sought to ensure tolerance of religion, following Edgar's advice: "go into the land of unbelievers and walk with them." The era of modernity has significantly reduced the importance of society in daily life. Individualism and self-importance took precedence over following the faith. A biblical worldview calls for loving God,.