Enlightenment and Modernity - Essay Example

Enlightenment and ModernityAs Kant clearly outlines, enlightenment is indeed the process through which humanity is released from a kind of self-incurred tutelage and given a new kind of orientation (Kant, 2009). The age of enlightenment across the world was associated with several realities and situations which greatly transformed human life. New inventions were made possible and people were able to clearly make judgments on some of the issues hitherto unknown. The age of enlightenment was characterized with a kind of cultural movement where intellectuals attempted to interpret the society by way of reason, judgment and faith.

Knowledge was further advanced through the use of scientific method. All these avenues provided the perfect chance for humanity to gain considerable insight into some of the unknown quarters of the world. Enlightenment is typically a process of promoting skepticism, science and intellectual interchange as opposed to the use of superstition and blind faith. Modernity on the other hand is the period in history characterized by post traditional mindset seen through the shift from agrarianism towards industrialization, capitalism and other forms of economic organization.

It is characterized by the flourishing of stronger social institutions which are well defined to address the needs of humanity. There is certainly a strong interconnection between enlightenment and modernity considering that both processes and periods were characterized by some kind of change towards organized life. As Kant defines enlightenment as a kind of release, it is seen that a great connection certainly exists between enlightenment and modernity considering that the latter aspect also connotes a process where man is removed from his social cocoon.

Modernity in this regard can also relate to the intellectual culture and shift towards secularization and postindustrial life. Both enlightenment and modernity are basically associated with intellectual and cultural movements (Hoffman & Graham, 2006). The connection between enlightenment and modernity can be seen in the different realms in which the latter word is used. In political parlance, modernity was initially seen as the radical shift from the Aristotelian mode of political analysis towards a more realistic political analysis.

This thought mas initially advanced by people like Machiavelli who strongly believed that different situations in the course of leadership call for different approaches. In sociological parlance modernity is always viewed in terms of the different approaches seen in addressing some of the social problems that bedevil humanity. In this case, as Kant rightly observes in his analysis of enlightenment, man is given the opportunity to move away from the previous challenges as new approaches and new dimensions are unveiled in addressing the challenges in the society (Moore, 1966).

A major connection between enlightenment and modernity arose during the age of enlightenment when several ideas were formulated and basically associated with modernity. During this time, the concept of progress became much popular in the west as many people moved from their initial past which was considered dark and barbaric. Philosophy is therefore a concept that bridges much of the gap between modernity and enlightenment. Many people came up with great ideas and discoveries and this created a new revolution in thinking.

It is therefore seen that enlightenment and modernity are strongly connected considering the events which occurred during this period and the new approaches realized.ReferencesHoffman, J., & Graham, P. (2006). Introduction to political theory. Harlow: Pearson Longman.Kant, I. (2009). An answer to the question: 'what is enlightenment?'. London: Penguin Books.Moore, B. (1966). Social origins of dictatorship and democracy: lord and peasant in the making of the modern world. Boston: Beacon Press.