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The Age Of Enlightenment: The Enlightenment And The Enlightenment

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The Enlightenment; age of reason, lasting throughout the 18th century was a period of intellectual growth in Europe. It introduced modernity; a period defined by the rejection of tradition and prioritization of equality and individualism. These beliefs were a direct influence of the actions and discoveries made during the scientific revolution that challenged core beliefs. Although, these newfound ideals were being popularized by Philosophes encouraging a focus on science and philosophy, preexisting principles made it difficult to do so. While Europe was no longer in the dark ages, many societal values remained dictated by Christianity and a monarchial government. The enlightenment challenged traditional European values to a moderate extent …show more content…

Male intellectuals, who became the face of the enlightenment argued that a women’s nature made them incapable to do equal or more than men. According to Spielvogel, “Like Rousseau, they argued that the female constitution made women mothers. Male writers in particular, were critical of the attempts of some women in the enlightenment to write on intellectual issues, arguing that women were by nature intellectually inferior to men” (Spielvogel, 31). This suggests that a woman’s only purpose in life is to reproduce and dedicate herself to her children and family. This notion reduces women to sexual objects and ignores any implication of equal education or rights for women, stripping them from having the capability to be on a similar intellectual level to their male counterpart. By arguing that women do not belong in a position of intellect, a consistent cycle of male ignorance and male controlled society continues. This diminution of women as inferior shows that between the Middle ages and the Enlightenment, women’s rights did not progress at all.

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