The Enlightenment Essay

The Enlightenment Age, or simply the Enlightenment, was a period where many philosophes challenged a variety of then generally accepted ideas. In “The Enlightenment” (2005), it is stated that “[the Enlightenment] took its name from the idea that it represented: a process of bringing "the light of reason" to areas of darkness in human understanding.” This period also broke away from the dark and straightforward Baroque art style and transitioned into a more majestic and bright Rococo style. Many scientific ideas were put into play in other systems such as economy and society. Locke, Montesquieu, Hobbes, and many other thinkers in this period have suggested ideas to make government and communication better, but were not accepted by the majority
Before, people were unsure of what their punishment would be for a crime they have done, or if they have done a crime at all. We can see this in our own government, as we have to obey a set of laws, and if we do not, we will have to pay the corresponding sentence. Other thinkers have had an impact on government as well. Baron de Montesquieu, Charles-Louis de Secondat, or simply Montesquieu, is another philosopher of the Enlightenment age. He is most well known for his idea of separated and balanced government. This would separate the government into different sections, or branches, and they would not be able to overpower any other branches. Most governments at the time were under monarchy, where one ruler is in charge of everything in the country. Many countries today use this idea with a direct or republican democracy, including the U.S., with judicial, executive, and legislative branches.
Many Enlightenment ideas have heavily impacted the way we live on a daily basis. Though they may not have been applied until many years later, they still made the world a better place to live