how people thought about the world around them was great. Its most direct influence was on European intellectuals who created a movement called the Enlightenment. Enlightenment intellectuals greatly admired the accomplishments of the Scientific Revolution. As they had questioned the authority of traditional knowledge about the universe they also began to question traditional views of the state and social order. Their favorite term ,reason, literally meant the use of the scientific method to understand everything. Physical science then was not the only place where the method of observation and reasonable deduction could be used. At the center of the Enlightenment movement was a group of French writers and intellectuals, in Paris, called The Philosophies. Their goals were to use the Scientific method, or deductive reasoning, to solve mankinds social problems. They believed that with reason the human condition could be changed for the better. They called for abolishing slavery, equality for all classes of people. representative government of the people, quality education for all the youth, and the birthright of each person to enjoy a happy life. Life here on earth should get better through progress and common sense thinking. This was change in attitude implied that man could have a good life here on earth and not have to wait until they entered heaven. Again this contradicted the model of mans role in the world that the church had created. One such example of the ideals of The Enlightenment was Sketch Of The progress Of The Human Mind, written by Marie-Jean Caritit, The Marquis de Condorcet. Written in 1793-94 he traced the nine stages, or epochs, of mans progress as it had already happened. The tenth stage, he predicted, would be a society, where progress would provide mankind with a perfect life. He writes, that nations should be equal and share in the enlightenment that is enjoyed by the powerful civilized nations.Should not all the...
