Enlightenment, Really?
Encyclopedia Definition
The term also more specifically refers to an intellectual
movement, "The Enlightenment," which is described as being
the use of Rationality to establish an authoritative
ethics, aesthetics, and knowledge. This movement's leaders
viewed themselves as a courageous, elite body of
intellectuals who were the leading world toward
progress , out of a long period of irrationality, superstition,
and tyranny which began during a historical period they called
the "Dark Ages"
Another Standard Perspective
The Enlightenment began from the belief in a
rational, orderly and comprehensible universe and proceeded, in stages, to demand a rational
and orderly organization of knowledge and the
state.
 This again shows a) our need for organization
and order and b) our arrogant assumption that
can comprehend nature

Yada Yada
This began from the assertion that law governed
both heavenly and human affairs, and that law
gave the king his power, rather than the king's
power giving force to law.
 The conception of law as a relationship between
individuals gave increasing focus on individual
liberty as a fundamental reality, given by "Nature
and Nature's God“.
 It is likely impossible to simultaneously maximize
individual liberty and equality for all.

YADA

The Enlightenment created the ideas, of liberty,
property and rationality which are still
recognizable as the basis for most political
philosophy even to the present er

that is, of a free individual being most free
within the context of a state which provides the
stability of Law and Order.

But, we will still maintain our practice of public
executions as a reflection of our Enlightenment
Manifestations of Enlightenment
Historians argue that this movement
produced a framework for the American
and French revolutions as well as the rise
of capitalism and socialism.
 Really?

Kant versus Locke
► Enlightenment
is man's leaving his selfcaused immaturity. Immaturity is the
incapacity to use one's own understanding
without the guidance of another. Such
immaturity is self-caused if its cause is not
lack of intelligence, but by lack of
determination and courage to use one's
intelligence without being guided by
another. The motto of enlightenment is
therefore: Sapere aude! Have courage to use
your own intelligence!
Locke
 Good and evil, reward and
punishment, are the only motives to a
rational creature: these are the spur
and reins whereby all mankind are set
on work, and guided.
 The actions of men are the best
interpreters of their thoughts