Asher.p2.t6 Enlightenment Era Synthesis

During the Enlightenment Era, there was a change in perspectives from viewing the highest of the social ladder as “elite” to viewing these so-called elite as a mockery. In the past people respected the social ladder and felt they were just born into a certain social status and they didn’t really argue or fight for a better life. It was often viewed that the people at the top of the social ladder lived in luxury with plenty of food and entertainment. The people at the bottom of the social ladder were often depicted as weak peasants that could barely make enough for food that night. Soon great writers and artists began to emerge and began a new era of thinking. One writer that decided to defy the common belief that the lower you are on the social ladder meant you didn’t have as much authority as others was John Locke. One piece of writing John Locke wrote was “Two Treaties of Government”. Locke writes about the natural rights people have in society and how the previous belief that people higher in the social ladder have more rights and power is absolutely wrong. Locke continues to argue that everyone is equal, no matter where they are in society. This new idea was part of a massive new way of viewing society and where people were when it comes to rights and power.

Kevin Cheung, Steven Li, Raymond Yonami, Alex Park, Bryce Cheng