Enlightenment...My Final Conclusion

Now that our class is coming to an end for the semester I can’t help but look back on all that I have learned and how it has had its impact on my beliefs. It is obvious to me, as it seems it is with most Americans, that our society has drastically changed over time and is continuing to change. Religion is still a very dominating issue within the United States, but over the years it has taken a new look. There is a greater variety of religions as well as a greater number of people without any religion at all. This class has led me to lean towards the belief of enlightenment and each person having their own understanding of things. Enlightenment seems more and more prevalent in our society, and others, because of the developments in education and societies understanding of the world we live in. Some of our class readings and an article I read online enforced my opinion on this belief and helped me understand where its origins really came from in the United States. I will start by sharing my favorite quote on enlightenment:

“Have the courage to use your own understanding” (Western World 149)

I feel that this quote says a lot about enlightenment and what is needed to allow it. Enlightenment is just the idea of every individual using their own knowledge and intelligence to understand life and everything concerning it. One must have the courage to step out of the pack and general consensus and allow themselves to believe in what they feel is right.

“This enlightenment requires nothing but freedom—and the most innocent of all that may be called “freedom”: freedom to make public use of one’s reason in all matters.” (Western World 150)

Freedom has not always been easy to come by in our world. Now that more freedoms are allowed to individuals in most countries, and especially the U.S, it is acceptable for an individual to believe in whatever they want and share it with others who might share their ideas. It seems that the United States has always been ahead of other countries when it comes to this freedom, and this is with good reason.

“Dr. Wood introduced enlightenment as a primary building block for America as a nation. Early Americans considered themselves pioneers of enlightenment, and they used this self view to establish and define the nation, a first in world history.”(Thomson).

America was founded by free thinking individuals who felt the best way to create a fair and equal nation was to allow freedom of speech, religion, and other beliefs. It seems to me that although we have had our ups and downs with these freedoms our nation was definitely created in a manner which would allow America to be the center of enlightenment and equality.

“Men like Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin were stepping out of the monarchial traditions of their fathers and into a republican ideal in which all men are created equal. The people became citizens – individuals with equal say. Book learning was no longer reserved for the social elite. Eighteenth century Americans believed they have erased the idea of elitism in the first place! Here, according to Dr. Wood, we see the beginnings of the concept of a liberal arts education.”(Thomson).

My conclusion is that enlightenment will only grow as individuals advance in education, acceptance, and understanding of the world we live in, and although there may always be religious institutions, the overall freedom of allowing each person to believe in what they want, and express their beliefs, will become increasingly prevalent. This is now what I believe to be true.

“Eighteenth century America was not the climax of enlightenment. Instead, it served as a unique environment for the construction of a base for continual enlightenment. America's current values are rooted in those established during this time period. The American enlightenment represents the beginning of America's journey toward "true" civilization.”(Thomson).

Works Cited:

The Western World Philosophy. Boston: Pearson Custom Publishing, 2008.

Thomson, Natalie. "American Enlightenment." Summary of a lecture by Gordon S. Wood. University of Maine at Farmington, September 25, 2005. Retrieved April 23, 2009 . .