The Enlightenment Era started in 17th and 18th century. Before this time, knowledge on various human life aspects and nature was limited. According to John Locke, what most people knew about nature, creation, society, destiny, and even duties in the world was what the Christians were popularizing from the bible and other scriptures. Christianity accommodated believe of divine creature that created human beings. Human beings learned of traditions, and they firmly believed in Christianity (Lecture 12). Therefore, there were no expectations that commonality could have about the future changes in knowledge until 17th and 18th century when the fathers of expertise such as Sir Isaac Newton, John Locke, James Watt, and Thomas Newcomen among initiated the exploration of the rules of nature concerning human beings.
The discoveries led to the enlightenment taking a new course which was marked by the following significant characteristics: Individualism started and spread across the continents replacing communism and religion which dominated the world. People paid more attention to things such as power, joy, and happiness, and security with each nation from the other depending on the individual's choices (lecture 13). Jean Jacques Rousseau was one of the main supporters of individualism. Besides, it was characterized by skepticism, whereby people started doubting what they used to believe. The trend changed from what people used to be told, and started applying reasoning and thinking in what they do. These were triggered by the works of a scientific revolutionist; Bacon and Descartes (Lecture 12). To others, the challenge came with Isaac Newton's publication; "The Mathematical Principals of Natural Philosophy” in 1686.
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Enlightenment and enlightenment thinkers influenced society in all aspects. This started with the blind faith to the logic and reasoning in what people believed. The deism which had gripped Europe and America by the 18th century became faith supported by rationale, unlike how people felt about witchcraft and sorcery (lecture 12). Education changed from the typical traditional to formal education. The kingdom and community leadership changed from classical inheritance to political governance. It was due to this enlightenment that industrialization such as the Cotton industry in 1733 by James Kay (1704-1780).
In conclusion, enlightenment and works of the enlightenment thinkers have continued to influence the world. Many inventions and discoveries such as machinery use newton's theory. Other sociological thinkers have changed how people and community interrelate from the works of Jean Jacques Rousseau. The enlightenment era has set precedence for a new era of knowledge and innovation in the world.
References
Lecture 12. The Enlightenment
Lecture 13: Imperial Expansion and Global in the 18 th Century
Lecture 14. Revolution
Lecture 15. Industry and Science
