The Enlightenment Era, also referred as the Age of Reason was an intelligent and cultural
campaign in the seventeenth and eighteenth century that insisted reason over superstition and
ENLIGHTENMENT ERA AND MODERN SCIENCE 2
science over religious beliefs. It was in Europe that this amazing era took place and the results of
free thinking led to the publication of many articles that questioned established knowledge. This
intellectual period produced many books, inventions, scientific discoveries, laws, essays, wars
and revolutions. The paper that follows will show how the era of enlightenment brought about
significant benefits to modern science.
During the age of reasoning many scientific ideas and methods were introduced by men
who had set out to challenge the known knowledge, the discovery of new instruments had an
overwhelming effect on the conception of human beings and their place in the universe, it guided
them to a fresh level of science and streamlined the lives of many. The ability of man to use
technology in his life forever altered his direction and ushered in an age of more scientific ideas
being aggressively pursued. Some of the inventions were the microscope and the telescope which
played and is still playing an important role in discovering new knowledge, furthermore the thirst
for understanding of medical conditions led to the identification and classification of many
diseases. Having the ability to research diseases according to symptoms laid a firm foundation
for contemporary classification and treating of infections and mental disorders, consequently this
helped classify mental disorder as a disease rather than madness. Also the analysis and
introduction of vaccines and immunization as ways of early prevention of killer epidemics
contributed to millions of lives being saved, and microbes eliminated scientifically in their tracks
before having a way to spread. On the other hand the telescope made it possible to observe the
solar system in detail and be able to point exactly earths position in the solar system, this
knowledge has been used by modern scientists and astronomers to send probes into outer space
to far distant planets for study.
ENLIGHTENMENT ERA AND MODERN SCIENCE 3
Logical thinking power, according to (Mathew 2018) in this era brought together
mathematics of axiomatic and mechanics of physical examination and settled on a coherent
method of verifiable predictions, systematic use of algebra to geometry synthesized a workable
calculus able to be applied to scientific problems. Most inductive ideas began during this time
have been the roots of modern science and via the improvements of inventions, man has made a
huge leap in technological advancements, he is able to travel faster, communication has been
streamlined from cable to wireless communication, moreover massive advancement in energy
production and sophisticated machines used in treatment and in the production industry. Since
the inception of research methodologies, steps have been made in plant and animal research
paving way for genetically modified organisms that are able to survive harsh environmental
conditions thus bringing about the capability of providing for the ever growing human
population using improved science practices.
Enlightenment period was strongly identified by the continued call to empiricism and
intellectual reasoning, it had a historical impact on science, cultural, academic and social
institutions of eighteenth century Europe. Inventions and secular science, propelled by the urge
of discovery and enquiry, became the hallmark of modern population, which in many ways
pushed the pace of industrialization and economic growth. Due to knowledge being spread
challenging the known laws, being enlightened caused revolutions as people wanting to
challenge the status quo, they wanted equal rights and freedom and this laid the foundation of a
modern civilized innovative and technological advancing society.
Reference
ENLIGHTENMENT ERA AND MODERN SCIENCE 4
Mathew, A. (2018). The British Library. The Enlightenment. Retrieved from.
www.bl.uk/restoration-18th-century-literature/articles/the-enlightenment
Peters, M. (2018). The Enlightenment and its Critics. 10. 886-894. Retrieved from.
www.doi.org/10.1080/00131857.2018.1537832
Milan, Z. (2015). The Enlightenment and its Effects on Modern Society. Retrieved from.
www.researchgate.net/publications/287278439_the_enlightenment_and_its_effects_on_modern_
society
Owen, J. (2019). Live Science. What was the Enlightenment? Retrieved from.
www.livescience.com/amp/55327-the-enlightenment.html