GLOBAL ENLIGHTENMENT THEMES AND SOURCES
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INTRODUCTION
Enlightenment took place mainly in the 17th and 18th centuries. It was an intellectual movement that exerted emphasis on reason and individualism. It, however, posed a challenge to traditional religious views. Enlightenment philosophers were the liberals because they were mainly concerned with ensuring equality and dignity to every human. The liberals stood against superstition, supernatural occurrences, and bigotry. Enlightenment began in Europe and later spread to the US, where it gained followers like Thomas Paine and Thomas Jefferson. The liberalists also opposed skeptics. Enlightenment philosophers argued that laws of reason applied to everyone. The declaration about American independence argued that all men were equal. Women and the enslaved people in Europe and the US, however, protested about their exclusion. Abd al- Rahman al Jarbati reacted with criticism to the French proclamation, which portrayed incoherent word and vulgar construction. He projects the French as godless people inspired by false ideals. The proclamation greeted the audience in the name of God to whom there is no other God like him, has no son or associate in his dominion. This acknowledged the French belief in Christianity, Islam, and Judaism; however, the statements were not factual according to the three religions. Christianity believes in trinity, while Islam believes in the mission of Mohammed. The enlightenment liberals argued that human beings were rational beings and were not entitled to be treated as slaves on any basis, not even religion. Women have been seen to be insulated and stripped of their virtues and dressed in artificial graces. In some countries like China, men have been submitted to women as inferior vessels for submission.
The writers argue that the conduct of accountability beings should be regulated by the individual’s reason or foundation from Godly throne. Slaves have morals, responsibilities, and intellect and, therefore, should be treated with dignity. Liberty is the mother of virtue. Women should, therefore, be left to breathe the rejuvenating breath of freedom. This will help women become more virtuous and wiser.
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