The Enlightenment was one of the most important time periods throughout our world's history. It was a time of new ideas as well as new technologies. Some of these ideals and technologies include humanism, scientific observation, reason, the printing press, and various public works (See a). These things have impacted the world that we live in today, and it is clearly evident.
The philosophies and ideas of the Enlightenment have given us a better understanding of how the world works. We know that the universe does not revolve around the Earth, how to use reasoning to answer our own questions (Descartes), and even how the laws of gravity affect objects/masses (Newton). It is because of these philosophies and ideologies that we understand nature and are not left clueless about it. They have also helped to improve our performance in athletics. For example, Newton's laws of gravity help us understand the physics of any sport that involves using a ball, and how we can improve. These are just a few examples of the many ways Enlightenment ideas have impacted our world today. Not only did the information from the minds of the Enlightenment impact today's world, but also did the technology. The biggest example of this is the creation of the printing press. A machine that prints any type of book, journal, or newspaper at a mass production. This invention helped spread ideas and knowledge as it still does today, even though it is updated. In addition to the printing press, we use the internet as means of extending our ideas. So that is how the technology of the Enlightenment has impacted today's society. |
a. This knowledge came from Mr. Pittard's slide on the Enlightenment, which you can under the Readings tab on his website.
b. "Science in the Age of Enlightenment". Wikipedia.org. Web. 31 Mar 2015.
c. "Plato's Contemporary Relevance". Hermes-press.com. Web. 31 Mar 2015.
d. "Literacy and the Printing Press". Peabody.harvard.edu. Web. 31 Mar 2015.
b. "Science in the Age of Enlightenment". Wikipedia.org. Web. 31 Mar 2015.
c. "Plato's Contemporary Relevance". Hermes-press.com. Web. 31 Mar 2015.
d. "Literacy and the Printing Press". Peabody.harvard.edu. Web. 31 Mar 2015.