The Impact of the Enlightenment on Today's Society

The Age of Enlightenment is that historical period that witnessed the most important eras of history in terms of scientific and cultural production during the eighteenth century. The impact of that era extended throughout Europe and the United States of America. The Age of Enlightenment is a broad cultural term given to that political, philosophical, social, and cultural movement that developed greatly in Europe during the eighteenth century, and although that movement had originated in Britain, the real development of the Age of Enlightenment took place in France. The illustration “Eclaireissement” In Germany it was called the “Age of Enlightenment”, to be known historically after that by this name, which turned to include more forms of thought that increase the enlightenment of minds and limited Ignorance, superstition, and darkness that filled Europe for a long period. The Enlightenment was characterized by the presence of numerous thinkers, scholars, and philosophers such as Voltaire and Jean-Jacques whose primary goal was to spread science and the scientific method, as well as establish the values of progress, freedom, brotherhood, equality, and tolerance, and putting an end to the excesses of religious authority represented in the Church, as well as putting an end to the violations of political power embodied in the person of the ruler and his entourage. Enlightenment thinking is a cultural movement that played a major role first in Europe and later in the American colonies and today and can be seen in the development of educational systems, policy change, government, professions, and many ways of life.

Voltaire is one of the philosophers most closely associated with the Enlightenment. He published a philosophical dictionary that represents the summary of Enlightenment thought, a critique of the theory of Providence in the Christian faith, and a rejection of everything that opposes reason in the field of doctrine, a critique of philosophies of that moment. Voltaire didn't accept that everybody required religion, that there was one genuine religion for all, or that there was just a single god. The act of religion was not important to him. Voltaire was more intrigued by the laws of religion and what individuals follow the specific religion. Voltaire is an advocate of freedom — freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom of speech. He is also known to be an opponent of slavery because of his strong beliefs in basic human rights. Voltaire praised Locke and his concepts, but it is a criticism of the philosophies, especially the philosophy of Descartes.

Eighteenth-century classicism develops under the influence of the ideas of the Enlightenment. In 1669 Moliere presented his play Tartuffe, and it should be noted that the comedy of humor used in this play is not intended to mock the follies of society, but to mock the weakness of individuals within a society.