Western Conceptions of the Enlightened Individual - Essay Example

This mentality was widely accepted by several people; however, a crop of individuals contested this notion. These people believed that there had to be something more than religion that governed a people’s way of life. They opted to believe in science,and the power of reason over an unwarranted belief is some supernatural power yet to be seen by anyone. They explained that science was the answer to anything,and it could solve their problems, for example,curing of diseases. This lot came to be known as the enlightened individuals,and the general time when these changes took place was called the enlightenment period.

It existed between 1650 and 1800. Enlightenment was very controversial in its early days since it promoted the questioning of the preconceived notions that the people had about almost everything since religion traversed all aspects of their lives. This new era encouraged sceptical thinking and intellectual exchange all based on scientific information. Notable people who championed the acceptance ideas associated with enlightenment included the likes of Isaac Newton, Voltaire, Diderot and Rousseau.

The ideas put forth during this period have had a fundamental effect on the western conceptualization of enlightenment. W.E.B. Du Bois is a well-known African American figure whose role in the fight for equality in the United States cannot be undermined. He was also a writer whose works hada significant impact especially on the African American community. The most notable of these books was the ‘Souls of Black Folk’ which was published in 1903 for the first time. This book is divided into sections; each chapter focuses on a particular problem, for example,in one of the chapters; Du Bois explains the circumstances behind his son’s untimely demise.

Chapter fourteen of the book is rather outstanding, it focuses on the slave songs and the message the songs held for both the workers and the slave drivers. In general, the book is remarkable since it shamelessly highlights all the problems that the African Americans were facing in the U.S during a time when racism was still very much prevalent(Du Bois, 7-68). In his book, Du Bois clearly shows his disdain for the western people who discriminated against the blacks. He believed that all men regardless of colour were entitled to the same rights; this was only human.

Racism, in his opinion, in complete disregard of individuals’ human rights to which they are entitled. In his book, he explains that all the African Americans have a proverbial veil that covers them(Du Bois, 45). The presence of this veil greatly alters their understanding of the world while compared to the ideologies of the white people. This was used to explain the hardships that the blacks went through that only they could understand. However, Du Boils points out that this veil can be viewed as both a curse and a blessing.

It is a curse since it emphasizes on the hardships that the blacks continually underwent during this time. On the other hand, it was a blessing since it enabled them to see things in a different way from the norm; thus it is said to have given them “the gift of second sight” (Du Bois, 65). Based on this information, it is evident that this book fundamentally rejects the concept of western enlightenment. This is because it focuses on racism which is based on the feeling that the whites had towards the blacks,as opposed to intelligent and sceptical thinking.

If their discrimination were founded on a reasonable fact, then it would be in support of enlightenment which is not the case here. It is safer to explain that their actions were a much better demonstration of the romanticism period where actions were judged on their emotional affiliations. Apart from this, another