During the time of the Enlightenment, people began to …show more content…
They realized that instead of looking back at classic ideas and traditions they should be looking forward and continuing to improve society, as said by Adam Ferguson (Document 12). Nicholas De Condorcet stated that there are no bounds on the improvement of society and that the progress of man was indefinite and always continuing (Document 11). As people began looking forward, they began to see that they could perfect by means of education and equality, as stated by Nicolas De Condorcet (Document 2). In this time people began to turn away from the church’s ideas of preparing oneself for eternal life in heaven, but instead began to strive to make this life the best that they possibly could. He also stated that people that clung to religion were “dupes” or gullible. Roy Porter believed that instead of clinging to the teachings of the Bible, people should be capable of change, and should use the scientific method to perfect human society (Document 5). As people began to think for themselves and step away from the church, people began to see the unlimited potential for mankind and society.
As seen through the evidence from the provided documents, during the Enlightenment period people began to turn to their own understanding and striving to reach the limitless potential for human kind. Once people stepped outside of the church’s range of thinking, they began to explore many ideas that they had not yet been able to explore. Throughout the Enlightenment period, as people began to question received authority, and they started exploring new ideas of religious toleration, individualism, and the unlimited potential of human