Evaluating the Enlightenment: Coffee Shop Dialogues

10/30/2013

What are your initial thoughts on the philosophy of the Enlightenment or "Age of Reason"?

Do you feel that the rise of Reason has been entirely positive for individuals and society?

Or do you share the Romantic view that too much logic can replace life, draining the soul?

Respond to the above prompts with a post written as a response to an acquaintance who sees you at a coffee shop in Red Bank doing your homework with the Enlightenment Reader and asks, "What is the Enlightenment all about anyway?" Give a one or two sentence explanation, then at least three sentences of your own views in response to the questions I've raised above, with specific, current examples. Be creative.

You must respond to two classmates by posing questions, not in the form of disagreements, but in the form of "What about...", "Did you think of ...", "How would you react if..." and so on. The goal is to promote dialogue, not debate. In these responses, you're playing the role of the curious acquaintance.

(Yes, this is a little cheesy, but it replicates one of the best aspects of the Age of Reason: the public discussion of ideas. In fact, cafes were a major site of intellectual activity and artistic creation!)

Notes: Check out my Powerpoint on The Enlightenment under the Resources section. Or watch this video.

Mya Alexice

10/31/2013 08:47:43 am

(Because I'm a creative writer, I kind of made it a bit storyish. Whoops.)

"Oh gosh," I say, and try to think of how to explain it without sounding pretentious. "So before the Enlightenment, humanity was uneducated and uninterested in logic or reason. This was during the times of things like slavery and the Salem Witch Trials and Puritanism. During and after the Enlightenment, humankind starts to ask questions about things we didn't question before— spirituality, the Church, roles in society, equality, and so on."

I continue, "I personally am super thankful for the Enlightenment. As much as I complain about America, I really am grateful I live here, and not somewhere like Saudi Arabia, who has yet to have their own Enlightenment of sorts. If not for the Enlightenment, America would have never been founded, and if it was, would probably have grown into another Great Britain. And perhaps, if not for this movement, I would not be who I am today, or at least, I would not be allowed to be."

My acquaintance asks, "So this Enlightenment, it was good?"

"Of course. But there's a point to which logic and reason becomes harmful. Overall, I'm glad the Enlightenment happened, but I'm not everyone. This period of time puts a strange fascination with reason, as if it's the only valuable way of answering questions and achieving goals. And this probably let to the standardisation of the school system now. So, it has its ups and downs."

Pat Monaghan

10/31/2013 12:26:07 pm

A tattooed up southerner with a cowboy hat and long mustache obnoxiously joins in with: "Amen to that. Amerca is a great country because of the emlitentent. The emlitenwemp gave me the freedom to be drinkin this here Budweiser at this here Starbucks at 9:30 in the A.M. (as the manager comes over to kick him out he gets up and screams) "Free Country y'all!!! Land of the brave, home of the free!!!!

Jordan Fleming

11/4/2013 09:57:55 am

(creepily pokes head out from behind fern) "Hello friends. I totally agree with you friends. I think the enlightenment rocks! I feel like everyone enjoyed it in different ways, and you could maybe say that people created their own enlightenments within themselves. But...haha you know....(sweats) it's whatever you want to think about it...hehe (slithers back behind fern)

Elijah Sullivan

11/3/2013 09:46:25 am

You mention that this period of time has a strange fascination with reason, which I agree. Do you think it is possible that we might go through a 'Romantic era'? Perhaps not in a regressive way but maybe in a way that will balance our left and right brain ideologies for the better?

Mr. Biggs

11/4/2013 02:15:09 am

(Philosophy Professor with a copy of Kant's Critique of Pure Reason sits down and thumps the giant book on the table.)

Now look here Mr. Tattooed Southerner. America may be great, but you didn't listen to what this person had to say. What about her points about NEGATIVE aspects of Enlightenment thought, including the obsession with rational thinking and the way it affected education? Our other friend here (gestures to Elijah) is onto something, though ...

Jazz Graham

10/31/2013 09:04:44 am

The Enlightenment was a huge movement that influenced reason and science, as opposed to passion. The Enlightenment caused people to think and act with a purpose for structure. During The Enlightenment, science was used as a source of hope, a religion. People were fascinated by the potential that science had to change the world.

Obviously I find the thought of putting science before religion very interesting, mostly because it is so different from what our society generally accepts. I feel like everyone is forced to believe (frequently by their elders) that they need religion to give them hope nowadays, when in reality, believing in something you can actually prove (like science), could possibly be the most reasonable decision.

The rise of reason has not been completely positive because, some people have taken it to the extreme. When you over-structure you forget how important it is to have passion. People also begin to take control of things that don't need to be controlled, therefore they abuse their power to control, without realizing

Mr. Biggs

10/31/2013 09:54:06 am

(Guy with green punk hair, anarchy T-Shirt and black coffee sits down.)

But I thought John Locke, Voltaire and all those Enlightenment dudes were all about freedom! Are you really saying this lead to more CONTROL instead?

Amy Thomas

10/31/2013 12:21:06 pm

(Girl with an over-sized hoodie and sweatpants joins in and takes a seat.)

I think I agree with the girl. The rise of reason wasn't completely positive, seeing that the power of control was subconsciously abused. Sure, those Enlightenment guys were all about freedom, but there are always going to be those other "over-achievers", the ones who over-structure things when it is completely unnecessary.

Do you think our government acts a little like that? Over-structuring our laws, saying we have freedom, but then turning around listing all the things we are not allowed to do?

Jazz Graham

10/31/2013 12:28:49 pm

(Girl wearing uhura costume and a $40 weave responds)

Yea I guess that's what I'm saying. Absolute freedom is dangerous and I think as people we realized that and took control to an even bigger level.

I mean, just think about how over controlled our society is today. We had to have gotten here somehow...

Elijah Sullivan

11/3/2013 09:41:41 am

Was the Enlightenment really opposed to passion? Weren't Enlightenment thinkers passionate about their beliefs? And doesn't the Enlightenment bring attention to having less ultimate control?

Mr. Biggs

11/4/2013 02:53:44 am

(Punk Guy continues...) Now I just don't know what to think, man. Can someone help? Who is right??

Can I put anything here? (Jon)

10/31/2013 10:01:35 am

The Enlightenment was definitely an influential time, and without it, we probably wouldn't know as much as we know about the world today; or at least some certain pieces of information. But in all seriousness, I can only say that much about it because what if something happened instead of the Enlightenment that caused an even greater spark of information and knowledge. The Enlightenment was honestly just a possibility for the outcome of the future out of an infinite pile.

Entirely positive would be pushing it, but I would say that it was very positive for its time, considering it was the one of the first big breakthroughs of science and knowledge at the time. But I could see people at that time revolting and protesting against the ideas because they probably seemed so weird and out of the picture. There would have definitely been some sticklers who wouldn't believe this new information. The Romantic period was probably allot more accepted because it seemed like that time enforced the (for a lack of a better term) "do what you think seems cool" aspect of life other than the Enlightenment which kind of forced this new info on people whether they liked it or not.

Samantha Quinn

10/31/2013 12:41:03 pm

I really like the thought of what if the enlightenment had never happened. Our entire existence would be different, not that we would have known that. Would our society ever be able to find a way to become as advanced as we are today or would we remain dull, without any reason, for the remainder of our existence?

Ava Merz

11/2/2013 03:01:31 am

Think about how the Enlightenment was a time with the freedom of thinking. They said FREEDOM. So, I keep wondering why they say "freedom" but they still limit ways of thinking. In reality, it really isn't freedom. this thought has been bugging me. What do you think about that?

Mr. Biggs

11/4/2013 02:16:50 am

Obviously the Enlightenment led to increased freedom in some areas but reduced freedom in others. Is there such a thing as limited freedom? Should freedom be absolute? Is doing what you want better than being reasonable and doing what "makes sense"?

Jose Montealegre

10/31/2013 10:05:09 am

What is the Enlightenment?

The Enlightenment was the time period of reason and understanding. It was the rise of science and logic, which let everyone have knowledge for their use and put knowledge into books (the first encyclopedia). The Enlightenment allowed people to question their beliefs and their leaders and gave them the will to become free and a unique individuals.

This age of Reason was definitely vital in human history and I am glad it happened, but I believe it had its negative consenquences. It was definitely positive in terms that it answered many questions and threw rulers from their thrones, but I believe our society has become too organized, standardized, that we forget the main idea of the enlightentment. Direrot, writer, once said that the point of life was to enjoy and pleasure ourselves, which contradicts to what our students in our generation are doing. They take classes of which they don't even want to take, but they do just so colleges or jobs notice them for their "intelligence", which is incorrectly measured by numbers

Jon Nielsen

10/31/2013 10:42:26 am

(Hippie guy with long hair and Lennon Glasses)

"Life is to enjoy and pleasure ourselves"
Right on, dude. This Direrot guy seems like a really chill bro; I'd totally hang with him and talk about life and stuff. I also like what you said about schools and how they measure student's "intelligence", but did you think of a somehow different way of directing schools other than how they are being driven now? I mean, how else are companies supposed to know they are hiring the right guy for their job, man?

Cat

10/31/2013 11:16:19 am

(girl with dreads and a band tee joins in)
Intelligence is defininetly subjective to the student being taught. Everyone has a different way of learning and their own way of thinking right? We don't all share one brain that produces the same thoughts and the same answer to every question? I mean how boring would that be?
You have to be like the Enlightenment thinkers and stop and think "but who am I? What makes me ME?" before you can really begin to question everything else. It's a good state of mind to be in, just don't get too lost in your thoughts like Descartes *whispers* (that dude got to be a little crazy with his over thinking). How do you think schools would be different if we got to decided what classes we were truly interested and got to focus solely on them? WOuld that be such a bad route to take?

Amy Thomas

10/31/2013 12:43:04 pm

(Girl with crazy-colored dyed hair joins)
I totally agree with the girl with dreads. We have to question and know who we are first before we can start anything else. Although, I have to argue with your question Mr. Hippie: if we study in the special area we want, then companies should almost automatically know who is decent enough for the job. Am I wrong? What happens if the subjects you're "supposed" to study are the ones that stand out for a job in a field you don't want to do? The idea of living "life to enjoy and pleasure ourselves" would be ruined, would it not?

Jose Montealegre

11/1/2013 01:07:19 am

Yes you make a great point. There has to be some type of charting. This idea can be used to support all the limitations thag society has. Of course you need to be logical and organized, but I believe that there has to be a limit. You can even imply this to the left and right brained idea. You don't want to be too left brained or too rightbrained.

Pat Monaghan

10/31/2013 12:17:35 pm

Obese yet shy eavesdropper looks up from his Star Trek fan-fiction and sips his pumpkin spiced Frappuccino before entering the conversation with: "I studied eight years to become a dancer."

Mr. Biggs

11/4/2013 02:20:24 am

Hey man, go back to the Romantic era. We don't take kindly to Fan Fiction around these here Enlightenment parts. That's not Daring to Know!

Jordan Fleming

11/4/2013 10:15:09 am

(picks up fern, sits down, and places fern in lap) would you say you're...passionate about that? hehe... because enlightenment? and passionate think-- ...*cough* (takes fern back to original location)

Jazz Graham

10/31/2013 01:29:07 pm

(Loki loudly slams down tesseract and stands, eyebrows slanted with anger)

I agree!!!!!! Midgardians are being too hard on themselves, not only as students but as people! And yes, this is blocking them from experiencing true pleasure in things they love! But how do you think midgardians can find ways to experience pleasure, and still be successful?

It is simply not fair that midgardians are sometimes forced to do things they don't like, in order to make a good name for themeselves. Don't you think they should find success by doing something they love? After all, each and every one of them are burdened with glorious purpose.

Gabby Recalde

10/31/2013 07:50:13 pm

(seemingly normal girl who actually knows where everyone in the Starbucks lives)
Which do you think would be worse: Complete order or complete disorder?

Haley Watsom

11/3/2013 02:16:24 am

(girl who looks like she just walked out of an Urban Outfitter's ad, except with neon pink highlights and a nose ring)
Complete order! Sure, society will seem to be full of sunshine and unicorns, but what's really hiding behind the rainbow?Clouds, full of rebellion and thoughts against the normal.The Enlightenment encouraged people to think outside of box, get way from society's "perfectly packed UPS box."

Mr. Biggs

11/4/2013 02:31:45 am

(Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory walks in)

Complete disorder, naturally! Without a logical seequence life would be utter chaos, and I for one disdain the very notion! Science keeps everything in the box where it belongs, thank you very much. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go buy comic books.

Pat Monaghan

11/4/2013 09:21:08 am

(really loud laugh track as Sheldon exits)

Samantha Reynolds

10/31/2013 10:14:35 am

The Enlightenment was a huge movement that had people start to think logically, they started to use reason. During the Enlightenment people did things with a purpose. Science became a source for everything, religion, everyday life and so on. The people were so captivated by the way science was sweeping the nation and became a probable way to change the world for the better.

In this time period religion was supposed to be everyone's top priority, then science comes in the picture and changes things. It's weird how something like science can just come in and change peoples perspectives. It was a benefit though because before it seemed as if people didn't think for themselves; that their elders told them what they should know and do and that's that.

I feel that the rise of reason has had a positive impact on society however, some people just took it a little too far. It gave people a reason to question the things they were doing or what's happening. There were always those people that ended up taking a situation too far though. I was taken by surprise how the people reacted towards everything and how it somewhat created the society we live in today.

Lauren O'Brien

10/31/2013 10:59:28 am

If you are given the opportunity to go back in time to the initial Era of Enlightenment, do you think you would go back? Also, do you think you would agree with these thinkers or take a more Romantic stance?

Brian Chamberlain

10/31/2013 10:17:16 am

I would ask my friend to sit down for a cup of hot chocolate (I don't drink coffee) and be "enlightened" on the Enlightenment. It was a time when people were encouraged to think for themselves and no longer be told what to do by others. During this time period there were great advances in the areas of mathematics, philosophy, politics, and science. Some of the greatest thinkers were from this time period. Examples of influential people include Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Paine, and Immanuel Kant.

I would explain to my friend that I believe that the Age of Enlightenment was very important to anyone who lives in the United States today. Many of the principals that govern our country came from this period in history. Our nation was found on ideas from the Enlightenment.

Sophia Mazzini

10/31/2013 12:30:03 pm

In the pledge of allegiance, as well as many other important American documents, we are "one nation, under God". Do you think that our country was founded on more enlightenment ideas or older ideas such as putting complete faith into religion?

Mr. Biggs

11/4/2013 02:34:15 am

Responding as myself - Sophia, it's funny you bring this up. The religion in the pledge. That was actually added during the Red Scare, because our enemies the Russians were atheist! But it is true that there are mentions of a Creator in the declaration, so your point is a good one. Did they want a balance or to reduce religious influence?

Brandon Alvaro

11/2/2013 09:46:42 am

I totally like the example of the citizens of the US today and the Age of Enlightenment. But I think that hot chocolate needs a little more kick. How can we get some one to even care about what the Enlightenment did for the future? What are some examples?

Mr. Biggs

11/8/2013 04:16:32 am

1. The technology which we're using to communicate
2. The non-dictatorship in which we are able to speak freely
3. The existence of purchasable hot chocolate, which used to be a privilege of aristocrats

Aliyyah Godsey

10/31/2013 10:35:44 am

The Enlightenment was a time of total knowledge. It was a time when logic, critical thinking, and reason was highly embraced. Before the Enlightenment people didn’t think on their own, it was always someone like a priest or some authorially man telling everyone what to think. Mankind had began to see ‘the light’ it all was no longer mystery or believing in the unknown, everything had to be proved by math, or science. The Enlightenment asked the question “why?”. Being able to just asked ‘why?’ was something that was very difficult to do before the Enlightenment. Humans had allowed other to dictate all of our decisions, taking away our freedom allowing our brains never have to think. “ for the public to enlighten itself; indeed , if it is only given freedom, enlightenment is almost inevitable.” Immanuel Kant said in regards to how the Enlightenment will be the only way for humanity for truly become free. To not have others telling you how, what, when and why in everything. Universal Knowledge for everyone made it so that everyone could have knowledge to think for themselves, the power to do that is what the Enlightenment was to be able to question everything! To be able to think deeper in everything. Many greats came from the Enlightenment. People that set up the foundation for mankind’s mind and how to use it. The Enlightenment has so much more to the time period. But I say this all to help you realize how important the time of the Enlightenment had our the people through history and our lives today. Knowledge is the ultimate freedom, from a people who took freedoms and made freedom seem silly, it meant alot that people had a solution to get the people free. Think about, back then when slavery was very popular in the Americas, the slave masters’ did not want their slaves to gain any type of freedom. Have you ever wondered why the slave masters forbid the slaves from reading books or from learning. Well, to them slaves were a crucial part in their business so they needed the slaves, they couldn’t have them rising up and running. Even though many slaves did run, could you image how different it would have been if they knew geography and knew how to read signs! Knowledge is a very powerful tool, people during the Enlightenment would have argued it was THE most powerful tool a man could have. Humanity for a long time had limited resources and limited knowledge. When the Enlightenment began it was all about learning and knowing the most. I could go on, and on about how important the Enlightenment was but, use the brain those before us worked hard to control and understand and learn for yourself, dont’t just ake my word for it!! Enjoy your coffee!!

Katie Carroll

10/31/2013 10:44:49 am

The Enlightenment is a time of age and reason that used facts and evidence to prove illogical ideas towards Puritanical ideas. The Enlightenment proved this with explanations that had facts to back up the conclusions. I find the Enlightenment very intriguing. I think that the way that people felt they needed to prove themselves was very much like today. Due to the way that people feel like they have to be the best they can do, they are always trying to prove themselves in the world to be "right". I think that the rise of reason was great for society because it sparked a new interest in learning and expanding your brain among all the people of the world. An example of this is cancer research. Unlike many fields cancer research is full of new things to learn and scientists are interested cancer research and expanding their brains to new answers.

Lauren O'Brien

10/31/2013 10:55:54 am

Katie, I agree with your points about the human race wanting to learn and having an interest in it, but only so many people concur with the beliefs of progression through knowledge. Did you ever think about those who wish to progress through the arts, allowing their more creative minds to divulge in innovative ways of learning, not just math and sciences?

Zack Sabat

11/5/2013 09:22:02 am

Do you think any ideas of the Romantic movement also helped or aided in the movement of Enlightenment ideas? For example, you mention cancer research, do you think that in some way cancer research has been impacted at all by Romantic ideas? Or is the research fueled only by Enlightenment ideas and ideals?

Gabby Amorelli

10/31/2013 10:48:15 am

In simple terms, enlightenment is basicly the new era of logic and simple/real thinking. This time embraced self development or in other words, not relying on others to make any decision for you. Decisions were to be mad on facts not just hearsay or legends or stories. If you didn't see it or hear it happen then nothing occurred.Unlike times before, you could question things without being "judged or shunned for it".

To be honest, the enlightenment doesn't really make a big impact on me. Human development is almost inevitable. Obviously, as time goes on, people are going to want to improve themselves. It's just part of our nature. Of course, I want to believe that everything I do and say is/ will be logical but, it won't. If our world was only based on logic and facts, we'd all be pretty boring people. I'm not saying that logic isn't good or anything but, to base a time period and naming it is just kind of weird. Eventually, people would have found out there is no such things as witches, or anything of that nature, so again, things were going to happen whether or not you named a time period after it.

Enlightenment contradicts itself in a way. It's the age of reason and you're supposed to question but, if EVERYTHING is based on logic, how can you question logic? It's annoying to me but, I can understand why people think it was crucial for us to have it.

Cat

10/31/2013 11:06:42 am

(girl with a pink mohawk, leather jacket and boots, and a bunch of piercing sits down next to you)
I am definitely someone who think the enlightenment was crucial, but I hear what you're saying. Do you think that human development was at an all time high because it became more of an acceptable topic to discuss and focus on though? People definitely had the ability to figure improve what they knew about the world by using newly developing science and reasonable facts. Even if you don't see it as a big thing for "human" development, you can agree that it was a good place to begin advancements in science and medicine and helped us get where we are today, right?

Jordan Fleming

11/4/2013 10:12:07 am

(creeps back out from behind fern) (notices the fern has a bug in it) (screeches) "Phew! Hello again friends! I totally agree with mohawk person-lady-thing. (sweats) there is no way that humans could have not had any sort of enlightenment at all, we're just too curious! haha...ha (munches on an eggplant) (looks around and sweats) kbye.

Matt Reardon

10/31/2013 11:10:06 am

I do agree that human development was inevitable, but I think that the Enlightenment was just putting a title on it and making other people want to figure out more about it. I also agree that the Enlightenment can be viewed as very left-brained. However, I think that those aren't completely Enlightened still keep the creativity in touch.

Anya Carney

10/31/2013 01:20:12 pm

I totally understand what you are coming from. But think about it this way: what if human development of logic really didn't progress as fast as we expect or we think it should? Then where do you think we would be?

Mr. Biggs

11/4/2013 02:25:10 am

Right, it's obvious without logic we couldn't have the world that exists today. We're having a conversation through computers, which run on mathematics. But it is definitely true that not all of life is logical. I agree with this: "Even if you don't see it as a big thing for "human" development, you can agree that it was a good place to begin advancements in science and medicine and helped us get where we are today, right?" But I would also add that we have also hurt ourselves with some of our technological innovations - war, pollution, distraction, etc. What if the negatives and positives balance out?

Lauren O'Brien

10/31/2013 10:50:18 am

The Enlightenment, or Age of Reason, is a movement in European culture which eventually moves to America which believes reason, logic and thinking are the ideas which will make mankind progress forward into the future. The motto of the Enlightenment states one should "dare to think", which shows those influenced by enlightenment trust in their ideas and encourage others to do the same.
I feel the enlightenment, initially causes a spark to go off in the brains of many and inspires them to be their own person. This, in my opinion, is an excellent concept which we still see in society today. Without the Age of Reason, society may still be conformist Puritans believing in witchcraft, not educated in ways other than God and religion. However, I do not agree the enlightened way of thinking is beneficial for all members of society. Some people, such as I, despise math and sciences and are more creative thinkers who appreciate literature and the arts. Therefore, it leaves a good percentage of society out in this progression of mankind, only allowing those who value more structured ways of thinking to advance. In the long run, things like the enlightenment cause people to nowadays throw their lives away working for some "prize" someone promises them when they first step foot into a classroom. They will be disappointed to discover this "prize" is ultimately death. The purpose of life is to live, not to be a slave of toil and allowing money to rule the world, which is the main purpose of modern day enlightenment. People must be free to chose their fates, given liberty to explore, experiment and create.

Katie Carroll

10/31/2013 11:20:27 am

I agree with you in some ways, but disagree with the way that you said that the people are more creative are involved with the arts. Even though math and science are more straight forward, it doesn't mean the people in those fields are any less creative, just creative in less visual ways. Some one who is involved with science and math might be more creative with something such as creating a new way to structure bridge. it isn't something that people usually find creative, but without that type of creativity that is applied by math and scientists then our world would all look the same and be only straight lines and gray. Many people do not take in to consideration that people who are math and science based do have a ton of creative thoughts to bring to the world.

Mr. Biggs

11/4/2013 02:37:51 am

(Well-dressed architecht at the nearby table smiles and turns his head.) Hear hear! I'm a math guy, but I use creativity on a daily basis in making buildings. Check this out. (Shows a sketch of a tower with curved awnings and colorful windows.)

Gabby Amorelli

10/31/2013 12:17:00 pm

Wow, I totally agree with you. Enlightenment can be beneficial to a specific group of people, more of the left brainish people. Of course, it could work with the right side for people too. It's definitely all mindsets.The modern day enlightenment is more pleasing to me. It's saying to live life for life itself, don't live life knowing you're just going to die in the end.

Haley Watson

11/3/2013 02:46:40 am

I really like "live life for life itself, don't live life knowing you're just going to die in the end." This totally reminds me of Fahrenheit 451, when Granger talks about the lawn-cutter and the gardener. The lawn-cutter will just mow the lawn, but the gardener will use care and plant flowers, to show their mark. The Enlightenment encouraged people not only to voice their opinions and ideas, but to make sure their ideas come to life.
Did the leaders of Enlightenment think that their movement would affect future generations?

Cat Ishimasa

10/31/2013 10:55:06 am

The Enlightenment was definitely a movement that broke free from the comfort zone society had always felt comfortable in. Reason trumped religion as soon as you had to see anything you'd be willing to put your trust in. And just like anyone who is willing to take the road less traveled, the enlightenment thinkers were (at first) believed to be radicals but soon more people followed this "new" idea of logic and scientific fact.

Of course I believe that the Enlightenment was important to our development as a country, I want to follow that by saying that the Romantic Era is just as important. As a country we experienced the right and left brain styles of living one extreme followed directly by another. Romanticism was necessary because the beauty of the world was just taken in for what it was and not for its mathematical value. Science and reason are important but they also need to be balanced out by appreciation for the simpler things in life.
Man had to able to recognize his importance and power and who he is before he can change things up and think freely and artistically (or right brained, however you prefer to say it). I believe both are equally important, just like using both sides of the brain is equally important in my opinion.

Mya Alexice

10/31/2013 11:49:39 am

Which era, Enlightenment or Romantic do you think had a bigger impact on modern society?

Amy Cavallo

11/3/2013 03:13:01 am

Do you believe a perfect balance of the two sides can ever be reached or are humans destined to be unstable on this subject?

Sean Provost

10/31/2013 10:55:18 am

What was the Enlightenment?

The Enlightenment was an era of reason and understanding. It was the birth of logic and organization. The Enlightenment was an era where people were allowed to think their own thoughts and question what was around them. The Enlightenment was also involved with "Classical" and "Romantic" thinking.

What was "Classical" and "Romantic" thinking?

Well, "Classical" thinking was also known as left-brained thinking where people sort everything out into different pieces any they analyze those pieces in order or in a linear fashion to understand it better. "Romantic" thinkers think the world around them is colorful and it should be explored the way you want it to be explored. "Romantic" thinkers look at the big picture of ideas rather than the small details.

Do you think the Enlightenment was a good time period for man-kind?

Yes, i definitely think the Enlightenment was a great time period for man-kind because without it people would have never looked at things logically. without logical thinking we would have never been so advanced as we are today. I also think the Enlightenment could have had negative long-term effects too because sometimes people look at the world to logically or "Classically" that makes it loose its purpose, like standardized testing, or even everything in school. Everything that children learn in school is always preset questions which leaves no room for the other type of thinking, "Romantic" thinking.

Ricky Wild

10/31/2013 12:18:47 pm

How do you think we can integrate Romantic thinking into our current Classical type school. Will we ever truly be able to. To much Romanticism can possibly lead to too much freedom. With this freedom will individuals take advantage of the system.

Mr. Biggs

11/4/2013 08:42:10 pm

(Philosophy Professor comes back in, stroking his beard.) Freedom may lead to taking advantage. But are we anywhere near that point, or are we on the side of too much classical structure? We need to find a balance where we don't kill off our own potential, but also don't destroy what we have now. How can this balance be struck? Perhaps by questioning the assumptions behind the dominance of classical education. For example, is it beneficial to have more variety in kinds of thinkers that make up society?

Matt Reardon

10/31/2013 11:05:28 am

I would say that the Enlightenment was the time when people finally started figuring out how the world worked. Logic and reason were plugged in to real-life scenarios. Great philosophers had figured out that for every action, there was a cause and effect, and a reason for it to occur in the first place. It was what inspired our cultural desire to advance and prosper. The Enlightenment was the basis of the American idea of scientific progression as we constantly push our limits to further advance everything we produce. today, we no longer have just one version of something. Society has strived to make ways to satisfy everyone's needs. Perhaps the best example of this is Apple. The iPhone originated as just a basic product, but first of its kind. After its instant success, Apple continued to construct the next iPhone, and the one after that, and so on. It is much like how our minds keep creating new versions. We take past knowledge in, and then use it to create a new and improved version. The Enlightenment was the instruction manual to our minds and the world, but only the beginning chapters. Society today is left to fill in those unwritten chapters the progression of current society.

Brian Chamberlain

10/31/2013 11:55:27 am

It is really amazing when you think about all of the ways Apple has improved our everyday lives. I wonder what this time period will be called a hundred year from now?

Amy Cavallo

11/3/2013 03:08:11 am

I completely understand your comparison to Apple. However, would the company have been more successful if it created more inventive and creative products after the first iPhone instead of just monotonously reinventing the same product over and over again?

Zack Sabat

11/3/2013 08:14:36 am

Do you think that Apple would have came out with the iPhone if the were influenced by Romantic ideas rather than Enlightenment ideas? Or, is Apple a company that has a balance between the two eras / ideas? If not, is there anyway that you think Apple, as a company can achieve some sort of balance between these two ideas?

Mike Rice

11/3/2013 08:30:17 pm

Without the age of reason, all this great scientific progress and new technology would have not even surfaced. The mind is always looking to improve what is out there and that is why companies like Apple are so succesful.

Georgia Stierman

10/31/2013 11:09:53 am

The Enlightenment was one of the biggest influential movements of our time. The ideas of knowledge, logic, and reason were introduced to everybody. This revolution of thought opened people's minds to independent and critical thinking. The amount of knowledge and intelligence that arose was astonishing. Before The Enlightenment period, most people were incapable of thinking independently. They always had to rely on others for their knowledge (i.e. priests, governors, etc) and assume that information was right. The Enlightenment opened people's minds to the concept of proof and evidence to solve problems. They became self-aware and realized they did not need to be led by others all their lives; they realized that they were capable of thinking for themselves.

The Enlightenment transformed our nation into a self sufficient, independent thinking country and without it, we wouldn't have nearly as much knowledge and information as we do today.

Brian Chamberlain

10/31/2013 11:47:20 am

Wow, that’s crazy I never knew the Enlightenment played that big of role. Where do you think America would be today if the Enlightenment period had never taken place? Could we potentially still be a colony of Britain?

Gabby Amorelli

10/31/2013 12:20:53 pm

The way you explained it made me think that there was such an abrupt change in minds. It leaves a grey area. I'm confused as to how the enlightenment came up since, everyone relied on others and were never taught to question.

Amy Thomas

10/31/2013 11:30:27 am

The Enlightenment was a movement that opened up a new way of thinking and reason. It was the idea of logical thinking and freedom of thought. Science was used in this idea, seeing that religion couldn't always be based off of true, or physical, facts. It gave people a different perspective on how to think and what to think, now that they were able to actually reason for themselves.

I think the Enlightenment was very important and am glad it happened, otherwise, I probably wouldn't have the kind of reasoning I have today. I am more on the gullible side so my reasoning would most likely be influenced by my religion and my parents, but because of the Enlightenment, I can choose my own path of reason. I honestly think I would go insane sooner or later, if I wasn't allowed to express my thoughts freely, because I am very argumentative, meaning, for me, I HAVE to express my opinion somehow, even if it requires me to speak them aloud to myself. Thankfully, that's not always necessary since the Enlightenment has given me that freedom.

The freedom of reason isn't always positive, but not always negative either. It is almost a mixture of both. Being logical about certain things doesn't always suck the fun out of everything, because figuring out how some things work can be fascinating. Although, there are some things where they aren't worth going into depth about and don't necessarily need a lengthy explanation. Having the ability to grow on how to reason is a positive turn in life, but sometimes overusing that ability can really bore people.

Ricky Wild

10/31/2013 12:24:57 pm

You said, "I honestly think I would go insane sooner or later, if I wasn't allowed to express my thoughts freely..." I see what you're saying but maybe you wouldn't feel this way because you wouldn't know what free is. Just a thought, you wouldn't have ever felt truly free so now do you think you would really go insane.

Amy Thomas

10/31/2013 12:49:02 pm

I understand where you're coming from. I may not have necessarily known what the exact term "free" meant, but I would have the sense, or feeling, that I was bound somehow. I would still feel that there was something I was holding back, that there was something on the tip of my tongue that I was not allowed to announce. So I think I still would go somewhat insane.

Gabby Recalde

10/31/2013 07:44:09 pm

Wasn't John Proctor raised to not think freely?

Shannon Burke

10/31/2013 11:33:22 am

What is the Enlightenment?

The Enlightenment was a philosophical, intellectual, and cultural movement of the 17th and 18th centuries that preached logic, reason, and science. Instead of blindly trusting the guidance of God, people started to question things like religion, which was pictured as the "villain" of the period. Without this time, we would probably not have developed into the society that we live in today. It let people have their own opinions on various topics, rather than having the same view as your religious morals preset for you. It thought people to become self-reliant and self-sufficient.

All these things are really great, but I think too much questioning can lead to disaster. Questioning things like why the grass is green and why the sky is blue was pointless to the period; these were unsolvable problems. If you start to question the simple things in life, you cannot enjoy them. The Romanticism Era was just as crucial to the success of America as the Enlightenment Era was. Having these two different paths provided a healthy balance between science/logic and the simple things.

Samantha Quinn

10/31/2013 12:31:11 pm

Too much questioning can definitely lead to some issues. Sometimes it might be necessary to ask about what is going on especially what the reasoning was during this time period. But how would the enlightenment have changed if there were not enough questions?

Anya Carney

10/31/2013 01:23:55 pm

I completely agree that over-questioning leads to problems! I can't even tell you how irritated I get when people ask too many questions! But what do you think would happen if the Romantic Era didn't happen and didn't create the balance? (Not to ask too many questions)

Bridget Kelly

11/4/2013 10:10:24 am

You are very right in saying how over-questioning can almost become pointless when its used to a certain degree. It seems like sometime in the past this lifestyle of questioning everything has decreased. This being said, how do you think you would react if suddenly leaders today began to question everything our society knows as normal? Would this lead to great discoveries, like the Enlightenment, or intense argument?

Pat Monaghan

10/31/2013 12:05:57 pm

The Enlightenment was basically a time of learning for pretty much everyone. The Enlightenment went on during the 1700’s which, to put it in perspective, was around the time we wanted independence from Britain. It was a time in which people broke away from thinking as a whole and thinking more as an individual and in a way more selfishly. It focused more on science and rational thinking than believing in an invisible thing in the sky. I think the enlightenment was one of the most influential and risky evolutions of our mind. I think that’s a good thing. We should push ourselves to ask why often otherwise we are just floating around listening to what someone says and then just saying the same thing to someone else, and that’s not constructive. The whole motto of the enlightenment was Sapere Aude or “Dare to Know”. Its important to keep mentally advancing as the Enlightenment and all the people involved showed us.

Sophia Mazzini

10/31/2013 12:27:04 pm

Pat, I completely agree! But, do you think people need a little faith to keep them going, or do you think that humans can survive on science alone?

Jack Anderson

11/3/2013 08:54:12 am

How important is faith? Could human society truly function while accepting the idea of no higher power or no life after death?

Adel Soliman

11/3/2013 07:21:38 am

The enlightenment may have been all about asking why and becoming more knowledgeable, but it that always the right way to go? Could too much knowledge result in misery as appose to happiness. It is always good to think by ourselves but some times we find decitions too hard to make and lose our happiness. Sometimes and facts and truth are not always pleasant. Would it then be better to not dare to know?

Mr. Biggs

11/4/2013 02:29:58 am

(Girl in a Muslim headscarf sits down.)

I agree that we need faith to keep us going. For me, my faith in Islam has helped me through some of the hardest times, but people constantly criticize me for it. I love that knowledge has helped me benefit, but I hate how it has made less room for faith. Maybe when it comes to religion it is better to believe, not to 'know' - but isn't that the opposite of the Enlightenment?

Ricky Wild

10/31/2013 12:14:51 pm

I'm minding my own business and doing my homework, when some dude comes over and asks, "Hey, what's the enlightenment? I think I've heard of it."
I respond, "Simply, it was a time in the late 17th or 18th century that people began to think for themselves and they began to use logic to answer simple questions. Before the age of enlightenment the populace solely listened to the church and government, as opposed to after."
Now engaged he says, "That's interesting! Did this time era affect us? Do you like it?"
I answer, "This time definitely affects us directly. They believe in freedom and equality to the people. Most philosophers of the time believed in democracy, or the right to choose who represents you, There thoughts influenced our constitution. I find the age of enlightenment vital and I do like it, to an extent. I find the enlightenment important because we learn from it. Some things become dulled because of the enlightenment, taking the mystery out of life. To some this is neat, yet others a problem.

Ricky Wild

10/31/2013 12:20:45 pm

Quick add on.
Did everyone at the time experience the enlightenment. Or, did just certain individuals influence it and the future that would follow it.

Mikey Brewer

10/31/2013 01:09:27 pm

Although the enlightenment is definitely vital, how do think it would affect our lives if it occurred 100 years earlier or later?

Mr. Biggs

11/4/2013 02:43:58 am

Weird thought! If it occurred 100 years earlier would we be living in an even higher-tech world with flying cars and mind reading?

Samantha Quinn

10/31/2013 12:20:30 pm

The age of enlightenment was an important time for all people and the advances of mankind. This time brought critical thinking to a whole new level. Now everything would need support in order to be proven true or false. Common subjects today were being more useful in everyday lives such as math and science. Some say too much of a good thing can become bad. I believe that being enlightened is necessary… to an extent. You must be able to make decisions with determining factors while using your out of the box thinking. However, if you have to keep using science or math to determine your path, it would not be very memorable. For example, you would need to pay to get into six flags and wait to go on all the roller coasters. If you were inside the park calculating how long the wait would be for King Da Ka and Bazarro, you would be missing out on the enjoyable yet annoying wait. Yes it would be good to know how long until you’re screaming your head off, and no it is not necessary. Creativity would fill up this long wait time which would make the time go by faster, unlike doing math problems in your head the entire time. I would probably be someone who comes up with something unheard of if I ever had to wait to go on an extremely long line. Honestly, if reasons and consequences are always flooding our heads, how are we supposed to act at this age? Our world needs artistic ideas, but it would not be able to function without pure logic.

Ava Merz

11/2/2013 02:57:23 am

Sam, I like the way to explained the inbalance of right-brained and left-brained thinking. You are right though, we need both. We need to merge the two pathways and make them one. But, that make be impossible. It's like a battery, you can't connect a positive and a positve together. Both of the sides (romantic and classic) contain positives in our lives. I guess we cant connect them.

Mr. Biggs

11/4/2013 08:45:45 pm

Love the battery analogy ... It may be impossible to balance the two intellectual "charges" in society as a whole. But in one person's mind it must be possible, otherwise how could there be arts that draw on both left and right brain such as sculpture, architecture, and mechanical invention?

Sophia Mazzini

10/31/2013 12:25:02 pm

The enlightenment was a cultural movement beginning in the 17th century that accentuated reason and thought rather than traditions. During this time people started to think for themselves and question nature and human behavior. During this time, people began to question power and authority. They realized that they could change society by simply knowing more. People began to realize that power comes from knowledge, not control.
I definitely agree with the ideas of the enlightenment. The only way to improve society and progress is knowledge and questioning. Without questioning, no one would ever begin and experiment to make new discoveries. The world, as we know it today, would not be able to function without enlightenment ideas.

Minkey Brewer

10/31/2013 01:05:43 pm

I completely agree with what you're saying, but if there was just enlightenment style thinking, wouldn't we be limited as far as creativity goes? The enlightenment stye of thought puts all the ideas that are brought up into action, but the romantic style seems to be where all the ideas are created.

Jack Anderson

11/3/2013 09:00:07 am

Is there any concept that there is no need to question? Any deed undergone without anyone questioning its logic? Something so simple that there can't be two perspectives to see it from? In school we're often taught to believe that historical events are always like this. The Holocaust, slavery, the American Revolution- all bad. We're are taught very strictly that all these are "bad" no question about it, and it's easy to say that now when they've already occurred. However, I think we also have to take into account that at one point in time there were mass amounts of people who believed they were "good". We can't neglect that everything can be questioned.

Mikey Brewer

10/31/2013 12:56:52 pm

The enlightenment was all about finding the logic and reason behind everything that happened. During the enlightenment, people put all the curiosity that had stirred up and found the facts, sciences and logic behind it all. People realized: knowledge is power. They started to actually think with their own thoughts. The enlightenment was a huge reason that the human race is as advanced as we are today, without it we’d all be zombies looking for brains. During the enlightenment, there were a lot of conflicts that led to wars and hysterias, which makes sense because as soon as one mind goes against the flow of all the other minds, it creates an imprint in the mold of society. From 37,000 B.C to 1500 AD on the world history timeline, there’s only one major event that involves human conflict, once the enlightenment starts to come along, human conflict seems to become more and more common. The rise of reason has taken this building we spent a whole lot of time on and crushed it, so that when it is rebuilt, it is perfected. What good is there in an unstable building that’s meant to last? In my opinion, those with an enlightened view who aren’t afraid to look through the romantic view are the people who create history. Steve Jobs changed the game for all of technology, but how would he ever get there without tapping through a creative perspective of mind? Logic could never drain the soul, it could only energize it.

Adel Soliman

11/3/2013 08:19:55 am

Would having one complete romantic person working along with one complete Enlightenment person be better than just one person with both traits? Steve jobs may have been logical yet creative, but if one man with all the facts and one man with all creativity combined their work, would the outcome be better considering each are more focused on a single aspect.

Anya Carney

10/31/2013 01:15:09 pm

What's an Enlightenment? Well, THE Enlightenment was the time of reason--when reason and logic became bigger than theology. It's awesome. Basically, we probably wouldn't have like any or technology or even be the America we are today. EVERYTHING would be different. I think that the rise of reason had (and still has) a positive effect on us. In reality, science, math, even philosophy would all be absent in our lives. Like think about it this way, probably no modern medicine, i-devices, etc. How could we even imagine living like that?

Bridget Kelly

11/3/2013 01:43:19 am

If I was listening to your conversation about Enlightenment, I would certainly agree with how you view the movement. Your points made me think to myself, "what if the Enlightenment leaders were stopped, what would all of our lives today be like without all these rebels did for the world.?"

Liv Winnicki

11/5/2013 06:03:26 am

What if the without the enlightenment our life was simpler and better? what if science and reason complicated our lives?

Gabby Recalde

10/31/2013 07:41:44 pm

The Enlightenment was an age of reason and logic. People started thinking for themselves and questioning their religion. Science began to take a major role in society.

I think think that The Enlightenment was much needed and better than the way of life that came previously. However, I also think that it was too left-brained. I'm more of a right-brained thinker, so I may just be biased. If you want to learn more about The Enlightenment, I suggest researching Romanticism as well.

Jose Ramirez

10/31/2013 08:39:13 pm

The age of enlightenment was possibly the most important ages of all human history. It was the age of logic, reason, science, problem solving, and intellectial. It sparked the foundations of what we have today which is a fair government scientific avdancement, and a "free" society. Before the age of enlightenment people could be considered to have been ignorants and dull relative to today where everything before this time, revolved around religion. The enlightenment was possibly one of the most influencial times that brought big questions about the surrounding world. Such as questions around religion, the church, society, free will, absolute power, etc. Great philosophers and elightenment thinker rose up from this too.

I believe the age of reason was very necessary to have happened or else all the course of human history might've changed since then. All the foundations of reasearch and science we're being set up during this age. It influenced many important people later on that helped scientifically advance the world around us. Human elightenment is inevitable of course but without the age of reason, all scientific advancements might've never have happened as quickly that helped advance to the world we live in now. Maybe we could've still been living in a time of the emerge of industrialization or even further back technologically. The age of reason has been a lot more positive than negative on society although there are those that have more difficulty "being part of society" as some might say. I noticed that its harder for people that are more "right" brained thinkers to have a more difficult time contributing to society becuase it comes to the point where society is becoming too "left" brained and excluding more and more of the right-brained people. I believe if we are truly living in an age of enlightenment than we should learn to accept more right-brained people because too much logically thinking could make people soul-less, very boring and cold. Almost like a computer or machine that is just there to do calculations and have no real feeling to what he/she is doing. The enlightenment has definitely been very important but it seems that its had an even more postive effect on left-brained thinkers. I feel that its only right to make right-brained thinkers equally as important because art and creatively are important to keep culture and the meaning of "life".

Ava Merz

11/2/2013 02:50:31 am

Jose, that is a great point. The left-brained society that formed from the Enlightenment has completely excluded the romantics. Ya, logic, reason... that's important. I'm a left-brain. But, we need a way to mix the two sides together. Too much logic an hurt us, we do need emotion and art. We need a balance of the two, freedom in the arts and sciences. If you put those two together... BAM! Think of the POSSIBILITIES!

But, is the combination of the two possible in this world, today?

Haley Watson

11/3/2013 02:37:39 am

In today's world, I can see art and science as an epic combination, but on an individual level.For example, when we all took the left or right brain quiz, I feel we were all hoping to be somewhat right-mided."Artsy farstyness", being a hipster, and expressing yourself are the latest trends in the world, yet, they have a right-brained basis. Where's the left side? In these trends, the inner nerd comes out through hipster glasses and 'adorkable' t-shirts.In The Big Theory, Sheldon is 99.9%, as a theoretical physicist , left-brained, but comes out with phrases, like BAZINGA! He uses creativeness and structure in his life, such as writing a roommate contract for him and Leonard. The Enlightenment involved logic, but with your own spin on it.
Yes, the world parades itself on, "Being yourself!" and "Let your voice be heard!", but in reality, do people ever accept others' true selves?No! I feel we're never going to be able to use that knife to spilt classical and romantic equally.It's great that everyone has their own thoughts and beliefs, but it's rare that we 110% AGREE with each other.

My question is, did the Enlightenment not only spark self-thought, but worldwide turmoil?

Quinn Schembor

11/2/2013 01:34:03 am

The Enlightenment was about having the ability to be able to ask questions about practically anything. My initial thoughts on the philosophy of the Enlightenment or "age reason" are that people are able to reason and question off the time.
I feel that the rise of reason has not been entirely positive for individuals because there might be things that people do not want to be questioned or reasoned with. Some people may want things to stay the same and do not want to reason or question a specific idea or thought. I do believe that too much logic can replace life because what is going to happen to the original idea? Question after question and reason after reason, the outcome may not even be remotely close to the original idea. In my opinion the Enlightenment was both a good time and a bad time at the same time.

Ava Merz

11/2/2013 02:44:55 am

"Aye, the Enlightenment, the Age of Reason... it was the escape of tutalge my friend. It was an intellectual movement, which focused on individual self-interest, whether it be political, moral, economical. It sure was a triumph of light over darkness. As an Enlightenment thinker, Kant, once said, "DARE TO KNOW", "have courage to use our own understanding"!
Ya know, we wouldn't be here living like this without the Enlightenment. Who knows, our government could have been controlled by a monarch or even a dictator. The Enlighenment whipped the guardian hanging on our backs off. It gave us the freedom to do the most important ability we have... THINK! Maybe, we wouldn't have the rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness! Yes! Happiness, pleasure! The Enlightenment gave us "sacredness in each individual's own quest to happiness". Happiness is freedom. Happiness is the ability to think. What are your interests? Reading, writing, learning, sports, arts... The Enlighenment gave a burst of logic and reason to us all so that we may realize and understand what freedom can give us. Think about this.. what if your right of happiness, was taken from you? What would your life be like? Psh, you wouldn't have one. Thank the Enlightenment. That's what the Enlightenment was."

(The man I lectured) "uhh.. wow. I don't know what to say to that"

Bridget Kelly

11/3/2013 01:48:46 am

I love how you described all that the Enlightenment did for the world, especially when you said we wouldn't have lives without the Enlightenment. Also, how would you react if we were still under a dictatorship? Would anyone in society today be strong enough to pull off what the Enlightenment rebels did?

Brandon Alvaro

11/2/2013 10:06:30 am

Well, I would first start out by saying I wouldnt be reading thr Enlightenment Reader if the Enlightenment never happened, obviously. It was a period of getting rid of tutelage, and bringing in reason. The questions of why or how. Did God really push this pencil from the air to the ground, or is there another natural force that is pulling it down (gravity). Mathematics, science, philosophy, and many other feilds of thought were brought into notice by this time period. No priest or higher power telling us what is right and wrong with no questions asked. It is when humans started using thier own brains, and became a real, smarter race. I personally think without the Enlightenment, society would be extremely boring, but we wouldnt know it. We would just go on with our daily lives knowing only what we are told to know. I do not think some people have benefitted from reason, but most. Somerealize things and take it the wrong way. Of course, too much logic can be bad, that is why we need both a romantic view and a enlightened view on life. This guy who aked me the question would probably get bored and walk away, but i would not care becuase my explanantion would refresh my own realization of the most important time period in history.

Mr. Biggs

11/4/2013 08:52:13 pm

Nicely said!! It's a GREAT point that most people don't realize they are living under "tutelage." They just go through the motions, unaware that there are so many other ways to look at the world, think about it and live in it. If that guy gets bored and walks away, he's just choosing continued tutelage over Enlightenment.

Liv Winnicki

11/5/2013 06:08:16 am

(person who didn't get bored and walk away) i like that you think we need both the romantic and enlightened view of thinking-- everything is better when its balanced, but I feel the ones who are truly balanced in both are the people in our lives who think of as "that kid whose good at everything" so do you really think it would ever be achievable to have both in a society where everyone is different? if we want a society with the perfect balance would we fall into the tutelage because we want to conform to being perfect

Bridget Kelly

11/3/2013 01:05:02 am

Without even thinking about a real definition for the Enlightenment, I would practically yell out "Rebels!" The Enlightenment was a period of time where people began to think for themselves, and break away from lives lead by tutelage, or not thinking for oneself. It was a time lead by left-brianed people, those who rebelled against the current ideas of society to question everything, By everything, I mean these thinkers would be able to make you think completely differently about any aspect of your life. Enlightenment leaders made people think for themselves, rather than letting leaders dictate their lives. This thinking lead to numerous new inventions, such as the encyclopedia, which allowed people to see rethink absolutely everything in their lives.
As for myself, I completely applaud those leaders who went against the world to think for themselves. Without their ways of thinking, I'm not even sure the Earth would still be rotating. Actually, scientist Newton came up with the idea of gravity and studied the planets during this time. Hence, his questioning of these aspects of the world lead to other studies and discoveries of science, all of which we depend on today. Therefore, I look up to the Enlightenment leaders for their courage to defy society, without them would any of us be alive today?

Ann Palma

11/3/2013 07:29:47 am

You said that the Enlightenment was lead by left-brained people, yet left-brained people are usually the ones who follow order and structure. Right-brained people more likely rebel against traditional views. Is it a fair judgement to say that the Enlightenment could have been caused by right-brained people trying to escape from a left-brained society?

Mr. Biggs

11/4/2013 08:47:50 pm

Great point, Ann! The Enlightenment guys probably saw the old system of religious laws as too highly structured. But at the same time they saw it is non-rational, non-logical. So there are some interesting layers. The Enlightenment thinkers wanted right-brained passion for freedom combined with a reasonable, orderly approach to setting up freedom (John Locke is the best example of this).

Then of course Rousseau comes along and says Enlightenment freedom doesn't go far enough at all, showing how much farther toward the right brain Romanticism goes.

Amy Cavallo

11/3/2013 02:34:40 am

The Enlightenment was a period of time in which people began to question the ideas that they had previously just accepted. This questioning focused mainly on things like religion and caused many people to shy away from superstition and take comfort in logic, human reason, and facts. I believe that The Enlightenment was a tremendous and useful movement in history. It caused people to embrace individualism and accept different opinions. Presently, the people in today's world are entitled to their own thoughts on any given subject, a concept developed by The Enlightenment. However, romanticism and imagination are also immenely important and, due to the energetic embrace of Enlightenment ideas, have been slowly abndoned in favor of logic and reason. I think that and equal balance of Enlightenment and Romantic ideas would be ideal in modern society so that people can still be imaginative but also logical.

Zack Sabat

11/3/2013 06:08:58 am

You mention a balance between enlightened and romantic ideas would be ideal for a modern society. Do you think that a society, in todays world, could achieve this balance of ideas? Or, can you name an example of a modern society that has an equal balance of these two types of ideas?

Ann Palma

11/3/2013 07:00:45 am

I agree with your opinion about how the ideal society would have a perfect balance between the Enlightenment and Romanticism, but how could this be possible if both sides are so strong in their beliefs? What would it take for society to be enlightened and romantic or could it even be achievable?

Amy Cavallo

11/5/2013 06:13:44 am

In order for there to be a balance, I dont think it's necessary for one group to adopt the other group's beliefs, abandoning their own. Nor am I suggesting that the two groups need to merge their ideas into one central way of thinking. What I believe would assist in creating the balance is that the two groups, Enlightened thinkers and Romantic thinkers (or left-brained and right-brained people), have to meerly accept that there are other ways of thinking that exist. Once they realise this, it becomes evident that neither perspective is 100% correct about everything. In this, I believe each group would become slighty more receptive to the other's ideas. Still, they don't have to adopt these concepts, just respect them and their existence. If this occured, I think society would become a perfect balance between the two movements.

Annn Palma

11/3/2013 07:43:38 am

The Enlightenment was the age of reason and knowledge. Science and logic dominated societal beliefs and the question that wondered everyone's mind was "What factual evidence do I have to base my values on?" The groundwork of the Enlightenment was that society should be able to think for themselves and reject tutelage. In some ways, this era of rationale was beneficial to humanity, yet destructive at the same time. The Enlightenment focused on questioning traditional thought and faith. People began to abandon superstitions and religion in replacement for science and reason. No longer did priests and god-like figures rule humanity; scientists and mathematicians had taken over. Society became acceptable of the individual's freedoms and tolerance was at a high point. The right to think for yourself sparked the human mind to embrace knowledge and discovery. However, it's almost as if the ideals of the Enlightenment counteract themselves. This era incorporated the idea that all humans should be able to have the freedom against tutelage. Instead of religion, society valued factual evidence, the belief in something humanly reasonable. Yet, the Enlightenment took away "right brainness." Instead of thinking outside the book and looking at the world using creativity, it enhanced order and logic to look at life. The Enlightenment turned all abstract expression into structure and reason. In my opinion, the utopian society would have to have the perfect balance between left brain and right brain, and the Enlightenment just made the world into a complete pot of "left brainness."

Ann Palma

11/3/2013 07:44:42 am

Ignore the fact that I completely spelled my name wrong.....oops

Mr. Biggs

11/4/2013 08:50:21 pm

Mispelling your name is very Romanticist.

Zack Sabat

11/3/2013 08:01:50 am

What was the Enlightenment all about?

The Enlightenment was a period in history when people started to think for themselves and not believe everything that someone would tell them. It was also a time when reason and science were introduced. The introduction of science and reason was very helpful for an independent thinker, but not so great for the churches and society. Science and reason triggered many questions about religion which caused some people to become unfaithful to that specific religion. For example, Puritanism, which was the main religion in the Massachusetts Bay Colony between 1630 and 1700, died out because the Puritan religion believed that God created everything and that humans had to devote their entire life on earth to please God so they could have the privilege of going to heaven. These ideas were proven wrong by Enlightenment thinkers who basically said that you can do whatever you want and you don't have to listen to a religious leader especially if you don't agree with what they're preaching. Romanticism is another movement, but it focused in art and literature. Some Romantic thinkers believed that too much science and logic caused people to think too much and lose their originality. I don't necessarily agree with their argument, but i do understand where they're coming from. Too much work and thinking can take over you're life and have you lose touch with all your creativity instincts. A utopian society would be one that balances perfectly ideals of the Enlightenment and the Romantic Period.

Elijah Sullivan

11/3/2013 09:11:38 am

"What is the Enlightenment all about anyway?"

"The Enlightenment is what they call the 'Age of Reason'. It began in the late 17th century to the earlier 18th century and it was a cultural movement that focussed on logic, science, math, and reason."

"What are your initial thoughts on the philosophy of the Enlightenment or 'Age of Reason'?"

"Well I believe that it was a huge step forward for mankind. I think without it, in every aspect of society, we would be far behind where we are now. So many things were discovered and invented which led to even greater things. Also we probably wouldn't have many or if any democratic governments, and we would probably all still have to follow one religion. I think it was very beneficial."

"Do you feel that the rise of Reason has been entirely positive for individuals and society?"

"I think that even though it has been incredibly beneficial and that we wouldn't be where we are now without it, that it is a very left brain way of thinking. I believe that in order for our society and just the world in general to progress even further, that we need to take left and right brain ideas together to find a perfect blend of logic and creativity. If we focus to much on the Enlightenment idea, we will become too analytical, probably even more obsessed with technology then we already are, and we won't live happy natural lifestyles."

"Do you share the Romantic view that too much logic can replace life, draining the soul?"

"Yes. I believe that without a balance of Romantic and Classical views, and that if we lived very 'Classically' that we wouldn't take the time out of our super busy and routined lives to appreciate nature, ourselves, and the little things. As cliche as that sounds I think it is important to be tuned in to oneself and nature. I feel that if we live(d) a life that is too left brained, that we may not be as happy as we can be, and I don't think that is healthy. I'm not saying that left brain people are unhappy and unhealthy, I just think that collectively we need a balance of right and left brain ideologies to be happy, healthy, intelligent, and to advance our world even farther."

Will Cronin

11/3/2013 09:49:34 am

What was The Enlightenment?

The Enlightenment was the age of reason. Science and logic suddenly became more important than religion and faith. The Enlightenment allowed people to question their beliefs and their leaders. It gave them the ability to become free and unique individuals.

I believe that The Enlightenment and the rise of reason was overall beneficial to individuals and society. This rise to reason gave people the ability to question what was around them such as monarchies. Without people questioning this, monarchies might have continued to rule. For example, the American people began to question the British monarchy in the late 18th century. This resulted in the beginning of the American Revolution. Thomas Paine, an enlightened thinker and a supporter of the American Revolution, wrote in his novel that people do not have the right to rule because they were born into royalty and that hereditary succession is a sin itself. He also stated that the most common way a monarch would rule is by overthrowing the previous leader. Many colonists shared these views about the oppressive British monarchy that bound them. Without the age of reason, we may have never questioned this monarchy and stayed under British rule. Society today would probably not be the same as it is now because of the age of reason.

Adel Soliman

11/3/2013 10:39:40 am

What is the Enlightenment all about anyway? That question in it’s self is part of the Enlightenment. The Enlightenment is basically a time where people no longer accepted “just because” or “god” as an answer to every question without any reasoning behind it. Instead, they opened themselves up to a world of knowledge and wouldn’t settle with an answer unless it was backed up by concrete proof. Saying it was god is a reasonable and acceptable answer if that is the only conclusion after testing and researching. One example is how god was said to create the solar system after scientists failed to find any proof of how the planets came to be. In short, the Enlightenment was an age of reasoning, questioning, and learning. In my opinion, I think that the enlightenment was very late. I don’t see why it took so long for people to start questioning and thinking. As Immanuel Kant stated, there will always be a few thinkers among the crowd. Why was this time specified for people to start thinking and learning. Even if it was fear of being exiled by authority for being a threat, people could have set up an underground system and enlighten people in secrecy till you have the power to over throw the authority. At the time it took place, the rise of reason was entirely positive and completely necessary for individuals and society. With society as a whole more intellectual, humans can thrive and advance on through the ages. Creativity was not needed at the time yet would be most necessary later in the future. With pure logic and knowledge ruling the time, we can advance to greater heights and perhaps have newer technology like iphones years before their actual release date. Once mankind reaches the state were all are educated and a substantial amount of progress is being done in the evolution of life, then individuals

Olivia nooney

11/3/2013 10:44:52 am

"The Enlightenment was a time when people started to think independently! Science became extremely widespread, and even religion was questioned. Humans began to focus on happiness and individualism, which is really awesome. Have you ever heard the quote "Knowledge is power"? Francis Bacon said that, and he was an enlightenment thinker!
"Wow! Are we going through an enlightenment era now? You know, since we have all this technology!"
"No, I don't think so. We don't think independently, everything is decided for us."
"How so?"
"Well,for example, we are bombarded by advertisements every day. Subconsciously we make decisions based on the adverts; what toothpaste we use, what brand of jeans we buy, etc. I am actually really disgusted by society today, everyone accepts joining the herd, and being pushed around by leaders. We might as well go back before the enlightenment era. "

Eric Banal

11/3/2013 11:16:43 am

Did you ever think that these ads were to actually help us and not bombard us. Maybe we actually need this kind of toothpaste to help us or maybe that brand of jeans will keep us warmer. Some of these crazy ads aren't to just make money, but to actually improve our lives.

Olivia nooney

11/3/2013 11:39:47 am

Very true!! I never thought of it that way.

Mr. Biggs

11/4/2013 11:16:19 am

how can we tell the difference? Kant would probably say that the more we accept products that improve our lives, the more we enter back into "tutelage."

Eric Banal

11/3/2013 11:06:09 am

The Enlightenment was a revolution. People started to think for themselves instead of having religion think for them. Before that, everything was "because the bible says this" or "the church says that". But when the Enlightenment came along, people used science and knowlege from their own brains and/or opinions.
My intial thoughts on the Enlightenment are pretty positive. I believe that it is good that people are starting to think for themselves and aren't puppets anymore being controlled by others or the church. Therefore, the results of the Enlightenment were pretty positive in my opinion. But, I also believe that too much logic and science is not completely good and people should be more expressive and romantic. Too much logic could turn you into an emotionless robot.

Eric

11/3/2013 11:13:01 am

A good, modern example is Miley Cyrus. Recently, she stopped being a puppet controlled by Disney. Now, she thinks for herself and does what she wants. And she used logic when she decided to make a new personality for herself. Her logic was to create this crazy girl to get people's attention and it definitely worked and she is making millions. But at the same time, she is a romantic and made the personality becasue she actually believes that some of what she is doing is art. She is both logical and artistic/romantic.

Mr. Biggs

11/4/2013 02:42:26 am

(Fancily-dressed mom pushing a stroller makes a face.) Ew, Miley Cyrus, what a horribile role model for my daughter! How can you defend her? She needs to listen to her parents and do the right thing for society instead of being a bad influence! I liked her when she was Hannah Montana!

Haley Watson

11/4/2013 08:00:02 am

(teenage girl with Lady Gaga concert tee on) But Miley Cyrus is amazing!!She speaks her heart and relates to all of us!Wrecking ball makes me want to cry!!Sure, the Enlightenment was about logic and self-thought, but Romanticism let you express and emphasize your self-thought, without scientific reasoning.You go Miley!GIRL POWER!

Mr. Biggs

11/4/2013 08:44:15 pm

Wrecking Ball Romanticism, Haley. I like it!

Sam Havens

11/3/2013 11:21:00 am

"Do you think we will ever achieve a time of Enlightenment due to absurd amount of technology?"
"As much as I wish we could have a period where we think for ourselves and not follow the pop-stars leads, I sadly do not think we could achieve Enlightenment in this time period"
"What even is Enlightenment all about?"
"It is about thinking for yourself and using logic and reason, not instinct or what others say. It is the freedom to say what you think by using your own intellegance."
Before this period everyone would look to god for answers or blame god, it was all about god. However, now its about yourself. I think becuase of the Enlightenment we have such powerful technology and tools. However, they defeat the purpose of the Enlightenment at the same time. Instead of using philosophy and intellectual reasoning, we simply look up the answers on google.

Hannah Christensen

11/5/2013 09:08:52 am

Sam, I agree with what you're saying about Google and technology being used instead of philosophy and intellectual reasoning; however, I think our newfound technology can be used to benefit us. Of course, its in the best interest for everyone to be intelligent and have a good use of common sense, but we must also know how to connect and relate with others. The internet facilitates this relation and gives us any amount of information anytime we need it. We cannot just live in the past and solely run on books and pen and paper, we must embrace our technological advances and use them for our advantage instead of allowing them to tear us down.

Jack Anderson

11/3/2013 11:39:58 am

The Age of Reason is the first time in human history that we really see individuals start to think for themselves. They begin to question the authority of monarchs and The Church above them. My initial thoughts when learning about the Enlightenment were along the lines of "it had to happen". In fact, I'm surprised it didn't happen sooner. With all the free thinking people in the world today it's hard to imagine that there weren't just as many back then. However, it didn't bring on all positive results in my opinion. I feel like many people cling too tightly to logic and reason and they lack the commitment and passion that faith teaches. The belief in the unknown is so divine that it teaches us much more than facts. It gives us knowledge which people can't find in a laboratory and I feel like too many people have abandoned it.

Liv Winnicki

11/5/2013 06:00:21 am

it sounds like you're saying that we need a balance of the enlightenment and the blind faith we had before this period, which i agree with. theres something so interesting about believing in something unknown but still being so sure

Tara Schwinn

11/3/2013 01:17:59 pm

The Enlightenment was an age of thinking, reason, and exploring. It was a time when people were breaking out from thier religions and actually taking the time to think for themselves. Art and science were popular and flourished.
I personally am for the Enlightenment era. I think that breaking away from religion and form thier own thoughts. Looking at society today, we all have our own opinions and thoughts and many of us turn those into great things like books, movies, art, tv shows, magazines, and many other things. Or we use them to prove points, debates, or become powerful leaders. I don't think the society we have today could even function without the Enlightenment era, and if it did it would be completely different.

Grace Giffen

11/3/2013 08:25:01 pm

The enlightenment is about facts over legend. It is also science over religion. I think that the enlightenment had a purpose but I think romanticism had more of a reason. The more creative element creates a more diverse society.

Mike Rice

11/3/2013 08:27:18 pm

In a time where humans didn't think for themselves, use reason to solve issues or question things that are wrong, the enlightenment was so important to society. At the time monarchs and church leaders ruled the various countries in Europe and the enlightenment thinkers began to question their leadership and inspired the people to use logic and reason in their everyday lives to solve problems, not just what your king or monarch says. The world we live in today is very much thanks to The Age of Reason. Without the enlightenment, there would be no America, no democracies, no republics, and no even societys. The enlightenment truly benefited society in life form. Although, logic and reason could have some negative affects, the positives out weigh them.

Mr. Biggs

11/4/2013 08:49:39 pm

It's very true that democratic/republican government comes out of Enlightenment thinking. And clearly, it's better to live in that kind of society than under theocracy, monarchy or dictatorship.

But is there a way to reduce the negative effects without losing the good?

Jack Anderson

11/5/2013 10:37:32 am

With something so fragile as an idea I don't think you can have a true compromise. The margin of error for give and take is very slim. Every idea is objective, meaning that each and every idea is created with a certain something to accomplish in mind. When someone tries to change around someone else's idea, no matter how small the change, the whole objective is compromised. It's like a ripple effect. If you change a word here or a sentence there the whole entire original idea will be detached. Ultimately I guess what I'm saying is that you can't actually "change" or "compromise" an idea. When you try to do so, all you end up doing is creating a whole new idea of your own that is going to be, in some shape or form, contradictory to the original idea.

Haley Watson

11/4/2013 08:26:15 am

The Enlightenment and Romanticism had a similar central ideal: use self-thought and don't be afraid to use it.The Enlightenment encouraged scientific and logical reasoning behind your own beliefs, but the Romantic era expressed emotion and nature.Due to diverseness in our world, science and emotion can't seem to combine together on a societal level.However, I think individuals can overcome this barrier.It may take struggling circumstances, and those who close the gap between nature and reason may be able to form a revolutionary relation.
In literature, The Hunger Games is an example in which two individuals with different-sided brains come together to survive. Katniss is very logically minded (left-mind). Her main goal is to win The Hunger Games so she can return to Prim, and she strategically plans how she will win the games:find or make a bow, hunt, kill, win.On the other hand, Peeta is artistic and isn't afraid to hide his emotions, such as his love for Katniss. Although Katniss has a better understanding of nature, Peeta seems to appreciate it too.This is seen in his ability to practically make himself into his surroundings, like a tree or rocks.Even before entering the arena, Peeta's expressional personality takes affects Katniss. Her mind doesn't just focus on victory for Prim, but Peeta. In the arena, Katniss and Peeta come together to win. Katniss' berry-tactic was crucial to their survival in the end.
The combination of logic and emotional intuition can be possible, however it would a major change in society or in people's minds to see this occur today.

Ann Palma

11/5/2013 05:41:28 am

I absolutely love how you intertwined the Enlightenment and Romanticism into The Hunger Games. However, in today's society do you think humans would be able to have a balance between Romanticism and Enlightenment philosophy and if so what would it take?

Pat Monaghan

11/4/2013 09:29:11 am

This is the most intellectual Starbucks i've ever been in.

Mr. Biggs

11/4/2013 08:43:39 pm

True ... which is sad because cafes were centers of intellectual discussion during the Enlightenment. It reminds us that we have lost their dedication to independent thinking in some ways, especially when it comes to "public reasoning" like Kant discusses. But we're keeping the flame alive here!

Adel Soliman

11/5/2013 07:16:07 am

What was it about cafes that made it the center of intellectual discussion? If that was an obvious place for thinkers, wouldn't kings or high powered authorities who don't want people to think so they could remain in power just shut them down or know to just barge in there and arrest everyone?

Elijah Sullivan

11/5/2013 12:07:55 pm

1.) I have the same question as Adel, couldn't rulers have kept these intellectual hot spots under control? 2.) Paradox alert! Whose to say that the Enlightenment didn't also create the end of the Enlightenment? It was a time for intellectual thinking. It also lead to great technology, so great that it might be too great for us to handle. These cafe's may not be so social and places for thought anymore because of technology. The moment you step into a Starbucks, you see at least 3 people solely on a date with their Macs, and another 10 'white girls' all on their phones instagramming their coffee. (Sorry for the stereotyping) but the era that created technology might also have killed intellectual discussion, at least in cafes.

Liv Winnicki

11/5/2013 05:57:53 am

I would first respond to someones question about the enlightenment by explaining that without the Enlightenment we would not be as intellectual and as logical as we are in the world today. Then enlightenment was a key awakening in history because without it we would not have the reason we have today and possibility we would all be living in a Puritan like society and I don't know about anyone else, but I would not do well there. But its strange for me to think that if we didn't have the enlightenment there's a possibility that i would not be who i am today and i would not think logically and i would not be interested in sciences because there wouldn't be many sciences. It would be very interesting to go back in time and take away the enlightenment and see where we would be today. Our society was shaped by the enlightenment intensely

Adel Soliman

11/5/2013 07:23:00 am

You don't necessarily need the enlightenment to think logically. Where ever you are in history, there were always those few who thought like an enlightenment thinking yet kept a low profile. I see it more as the enlightenment being a time were people were able to freely think and share their thoughts as appose to thinking and hiding. So Would you really be that different without the enlightenment?

Eric Banal

11/5/2013 12:35:03 pm

I don't think that there needs to be any sort of movement for someone to realize that they need to think logically. That's why I think the Enlightenment was sort of silly. Once that came up, everyone decided to use facts instead of listening to something else like the church. But in a way, the Enlightenment was very beneficial to our society because without that "slap in the face/reality check", people might still be opinionless robots.

Katelyn Johnson

11/5/2013 09:51:03 am

Personally, I believe that the Enlightenment was a very useful time period that people, even romantics, cannot live without. It gets people thinking. Even though I'm not screaming and jumping for science or math (and i don't think i ever have) and prefer to solve equations than listen to some Ed Sheeran, it is quite useful for us to understand logic. The Enlightenment also put logic and reason before religion, which the people had been accustomed to for so long. This period of time was quite useful and positive for both the individual and the society they live in. Without this age of logic and reason, people will not learn to think for themselves in some sort of way rather than not thinking for themselves at all or having a person of higher authority/God think for them.
The Enlightenment, to me, is like a wave and the Romantic era is the surfer. Without the wave, the surfer cannot..well..surf. The surfer needs the wave to get it going. The Romantic era needed the Enlightenment to start their outside-the-box thinking and daring moves. The Enlightenment created this era of thinking and getting away from "what will God think about this?", "what would God do?", etc. It caused people to branch out, and I do not think that could be seen as anything but positive.

English and Philosophy