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A 2 page research paper that compares the concept of self in the Enlightenment with that of the postmodern era. The writer particularly addresses how the philosophy of the Enlightenment differed from that of the existentialists. Bibliography lists 2 sources.
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2 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_90enlitnmt.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
concepts pertaining to a Newtonian science of nature that saw the natural world as both mathematical and mechanical (Elias 533). The great philosophers of the Enlightenment believed that science
would provide a path to perfection for humanity and civilization through the use of the scientific method. The philosophy of the Enlightenment saw each individual as possessing a rational will
that made it possible for that individual to make and carry out plans. An idealization of humanitys ability to reason was the central belief that motivated this worldview. While it
was acknowledged that people often do not act in a reasonable manner, this was attributed to inadequate education. All people were believed to be capable of rational, reasonable behavior. The
postmodern philosophies, particularly existentialism, originated largely as a reaction to the optimistic views of the Enlightenment. Called "existentialism" because it was a philosophical movement that centered around questions concerning the
nature of existence, these philosophers argued the objective, universal and certain knowledge was totally unattainable (Stack 162). While the Enlightenment saw humans as capable of eventually knowing everything and founding
a perfect society, the existentialists painted a far different picture. They saw human life as being basically a long series of choices or decisions that had to be made without
conclusively knowing what the correct choices might be (Stack 162). Thus, it can be seen that the Enlightenment and the postmodern era offer two very different views on the self.
The Enlightenment view is one of enthusiastic optimism that saw education and the use of reason as vehicles that would lead to a more perfect world order. This age formulated
ideas pertaining to human dignity that influenced the formation of current political systems (Stack 162). On the other hand, the postmodern era, as exemplified by the existentialists, stressed that individuals
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