Assignment 2: The Enlightenment in Europe and the Americas
Phạm Vân Trang-1622264
ENG2206-IVAC
1. General
- When did the Enlightenment begin?
The Enlightenment began in the late 17th century and 18 century, which challenged
established wisdom and laid the groundwork for contemporary political and
philosophical concepts.
- How did the people in the Enlightenment think of human, God, and society?
Humans were regarded as rational beings during the Enlightenment, able to reason
and comprehend their surroundings, emphasized the importance of the individual and
their rights.Deism was a popular way of thinking about God. God created everything
but did not intervene in how it functioned like a watchmaker. There was a strong
belief in progress, the notion that humanity might evolve and improve its conditions
through reason and science, and society was viewed as a collective of individuals.
Traditional social structures and powers were challenged and frequently disregarded
in favor of theories supporting equality and democracy, particularly those based on
unquestioned tradition or religious dogma.
- Write down some crucial keywords which describe the main characteristics of the
 Enlightenment.
 Reason
 Science
 Individualism
 Progress
 Deism
 Secularism
2. René Descartes’ The Discourse on Method
- Summarize the main methods Descartes believes that he, and the people in general,
should do in solving problems.
Doubt Everything: Descartes' method begins with radical doubt. He suggests that
one should doubt the truth of anything that is not certain and indubitable. This
includes doubting the information gathered through the senses, as sensory perceptions
can sometimes be deceptive.
Divide Problems into Smaller Parts: To solve complex problems, Descartes
recommended breaking them down into smaller, more manageable parts. This
reductionist approach allows for a systematic examination of each component.
Organize thoughts properly: He suggested that we should start with the easiest and
simply to understand then use a step-by-step method to build up a complex
knowledge.
Complete Enumeration: When solve a problem, Descartes advices check and
overhaul all aspect of the topic. This makes sure that no crucial information or
solutions are missed.
- What does Descartes discuss when he says, “I think, therefore I am”?
When he says "I think, therefore I am" he was expressing a fundamental philosophical
insight about the nature of human existence and certainty. He contends that the only
thing in which we may have absolute confidence is our own existence, which is
supported by the fact that the mere act of denying it establishes our existence.
3. Denis Diderot and Jean le Rond D’Alembert:The Encyclopédie
-How do beasts differ from human beings according to the encyclopedists’definition?
According to the encyclopedists, the key distinction between beasts andhuman beings
lay in the faculty of reason. Beasts, in their view, lacked thecapacity for rational
thought, and it was the reason that elevated humans aboveanimals. They saw humans
as possessing the ability to think, reflect, and makechoices, which set them apart
from the purely instinct-driven behavior of animals.
-Summarize in a paragraph of about 100 words the role of education in the
development of children according to the encyclopedists’ idea
The encyclopedists emphasized the role of education in the development of children.
They believed that education should focus on cultivating reason,morality, and critical
thinking. They advocated for an education that encouraged intellectual and moral
growth, emphasizing a child's capacity for reason and the importance of nurturing it
through proper instruction and guidance.
- Summarize the encyclopedists’ definition of political authority in a paragraph of
about 100 words.
The Enlightenment ideas of reason, consent, and the social compact served as the
foundation for the encyclopedists' notion of political power. They held that legitimate
political power should be derived from the agreement of the governed and exist to
defend people's inalienable rights. Rather than being unlimited or despotic in nature,
political authority was considered a necessary societal construct for upholding justice
and order, and it should be held responsible for those values
4. Benjamin Franklin
Enumerate the jobs Franklin ever took and the inventions he did during his life.
The jobs Franklin ever took
- started his adult life as a printer, moved to Philadelphia- and went on to become a
successful businessman, inventor, scientist, writer, musician, diplomat, and signatory
to the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution.
His inventions:
-swimming fins, bifocal glasses, discovered new sources of electricity, improved
libraries, hospitals, insurance companies, and volunteer fire departments.
5. Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels
* In chapter 1 of part IV
- Who are Gulliver’s companions in his journey this time? What is the main purpose
of his journey this time? How do his sailors treat him?
Gulliver sets out on his fourth adventure, this time with a bunch of Houyhnhnms, a
species of logical and clever horses. He is traveling mostly toinvestigate and learn
about their civilization. The sailors treat Gulliver with disdain and contempt during
the voyage because of the unusual appearance of his new companions, and they are
particularly horrified by Gulliver's descriptions of the Houyhnhnms
- What does Gulliver do when he is left in the island? What are the characteristics of
the island? What creatures does he encounter in the island? What are their features?
When Gulliver is left on the island, he discovers that it is inhabited by two primary
species: the Houyhnhnms and the Yahoos. The Yahoos are nasty, primitive, and
disgusting humanoid creatures, whereas the Houyhnhnm are very sensible and clever
horses that coexist in peace. The Yahoos are distinguished by their brutish and
barbaric conduct, whereas the Houyhnhnm distinguished by their rationality,
goodness, and peaceful cooperation.
- What is the horses’ attitude to Gulliver when he encounters them? What does he
think about them?
When Gulliver first encounters the Houyhnhnms, they are curious about him but also
cautious. They treat him with kindness and hospitality, primarily because of his
association with his fellow Houyhnhnms, but they are perplexed by his Yahoos-like
appearance. Gulliver is deeply impressed by the Houyhnhnms and admires their
rationality and virtue.
* In chapter 2 of part IV
- Why does Gulliver bring some toys together in his journey?
Gulliver brings toys with him to the Houyhnhnms' land to demonstrate thestate of
civilization in his home country to them
- When entering the building, which is the horses’ house, what does Gulliver think of
when he sees the hosts? Who else does he see in addition to the hosts? What is the
relationship between these creatures to the hosts?
Upon entering the Houyhnhnms' building, Gulliver sees the hosts, the horses
themselves, and is struck by their grace, order, and intellect. He also notices several
Yahoos, who serve the Houyhnhnms as laborers and are kept at a distance due to their
repulsive and uncivilized nature
- What is the food do the Yahoos eat?
The Yahoos on the island eat a diet consisting mainly of raw roots and animals they
catch
- How does Gulliver finally find food for him? What are those kinds of food?
Gulliver initially struggles to find suitable food on the island. However, he eventually
discovers that the island is abundant in various fruits, nuts, and a type of small root
vegetable, which he learns to eat to sustain himself. These newfound foods became a
crucial part of his diet during his stay among the Houyhnhnms
* In chapter 3 of part IV
- What is the main task the author has to do during the time he lives with the
Houyhnhnm community? How does he get improved?
The main task the author, Gulliver, has to do during his time with the Houyhnhnm
community is to learn their ways and behaviors in order to adapt and improve himself.
By observing and emulating their rational and logical way of life, Gulliver becomes
more civilized and refined.
Gulliver shares stories of his adventures in various lands, including his own country
and people, with his Houyhnhnm master. He recounts the customs, behaviors, and
political landscape of his homeland, offering insights into the complexities of human
societies.
Writing
Find out 3 journal articles which discuss certain themes in Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s
Travels. Then, put them in an order of APA format.
1.Patey, D. L. (1991). Swift’s Satire on “Science” and the Structure of
Gulliver’sTravels. ELH ,58(4), 809-839.https://doi.org/10.2307/28732832.
2.Houston, C. (2007). Utopia, Dystopia or Anti-utopia? Gulliver’s Travels and
theUtopian Mode of Discourse.Utopian Studies,18(3), 425-442.
http://www.jstor.org/stable/207198853.
3.Brady, F. (1978). Vexations and Diversions: Three Problems in “Gulliver’s Travels.”
Modern Philology,75(4), 346–367.http://www.jstor.org/stable/437482.