In your own words, how would you characterize the Enlightenment Period? What were the dominant theories of subjectivity or selfhood during this era?
The enlightenment period can be viewed as a reactionary response to the previous modes of thinking. In the era prior to the period individualized thought was not held in high esteem, most thoughts and ideas were predicated by the church. The enlightenment shifted the focus from secular world views and used the scientific method to solve problems. The enlightenment period can be commended for its ability to shift the world view in such a way but they failed to realize that the focus was now on well to do white males. These people felt that the world could be understood if the methods were appropriate.
Subjectivity during this period (according to Mansfield) identified the individual as a free, autonomous and rational being. Descartes described subjectivity as "I think therefore I am". The ability to possess conscious thought is what gave an individual there subjectivity. This idea both contrasts with and coincides with the thoughts of Rousseau, who believed it was the individual experience that gave the I meaning. Understanding individuality is not possible because of discretion and so he set out to describe all of his experiences as open as possible despite how others may perceive them. This contrasts for the same reason it follows Descartes ideologies: It is the experiences that give us our individuality while Descartes idea says that it is our ability to understand our experiences that gives us self-hood. The third ideology to develop during this time came from Kant. Kant felt that subjectivity can only exist if we are able to understand the world around us. Having the ability to understand and rationalize the world around us gave us the ability to form our own place in the world giving rise to subjectivity.
The enlightenment period can be viewed as a reactionary response to the previous modes of thinking. In the era prior to the period individualized thought was not held in high esteem, most thoughts and ideas were predicated by the church. The enlightenment shifted the focus from secular world views and used the scientific method to solve problems. The enlightenment period can be commended for its ability to shift the world view in such a way but they failed to realize that the focus was now on well to do white males. These people felt that the world could be understood if the methods were appropriate.
Subjectivity during this period (according to Mansfield) identified the individual as a free, autonomous and rational being. Descartes described subjectivity as "I think therefore I am". The ability to possess conscious thought is what gave an individual there subjectivity. This idea both contrasts with and coincides with the thoughts of Rousseau, who believed it was the individual experience that gave the I meaning. Understanding individuality is not possible because of discretion and so he set out to describe all of his experiences as open as possible despite how others may perceive them. This contrasts for the same reason it follows Descartes ideologies: It is the experiences that give us our individuality while Descartes idea says that it is our ability to understand our experiences that gives us self-hood. The third ideology to develop during this time came from Kant. Kant felt that subjectivity can only exist if we are able to understand the world around us. Having the ability to understand and rationalize the world around us gave us the ability to form our own place in the world giving rise to subjectivity.
1 comment:
Excellent job summarizing the readings and pulling out the main points. A surprisingly harder task than many people think.
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