The age of enlightenment refers to an intellectual movement which started in England in the 17th century ad later spread worldwide. The Enlightenment is based on the power and goodness that thrives from human rationality.
- Reason makes all humans equal and therefore deserving of equal treatment and liberty before the law. Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Paine, and Thomas Jefferson all advocated for this during their time. It was seen in the way they acted and their reasoning when it came to human rights.
- Reason enables one to break free from primitive dogmatic and superstitious beliefs holding one in the bonds of irrationality and ignorance. It was evident of the three leaders that they believed in this concept as they based everything they did on reasoning rather than mere guesswork.
- In realizing the liberating potential of reason, one not only learns to think correctly, but to act correctly as well. It was seen in their actions that the three leaders acted in a manner that was impressive. They gave moving speeches as it all came from their minds.
There has not been much significant change on these doctrines over the years. The few changes that may have occurred all maintain the same concept; that it is best to make rational decisions following proof or evidence rather than just saying anything at all.
Olaudah Equiano’s Narrative
- When Olaudah refuses to eat, he is severely flogged by the white men on the horror ship. They tie up his hands while another man flogs him so badly that he wishes he could jump into the water.
- The stench of the hold in which they were to stay was unbelievably horrible that it was deemed dangerous to even stay there.
- Overcrowding was another issue. The ship was so overcrowded that one could easily suffocate as they were packed like sacks together.
All in all, the tale of Olaudah’s life as a slave is a sad and horrendous one. The horror ship turned out to be just the beginning of many worse days to come.
Work Cited
- Newham, Paul. Therapeutic Voicework: Principles and Practice for the Use of Singing As a Therapy. London ;Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 1998. Print.